What Causes Heart Palpitations in Pregnancy?

Heart Palpitations in Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry

Heart palpitations are sensations where your heart feels like it’s pounding, fluttering, racing or skipping a beat. While they seem alarming, they are usually short-lived and harmless. During pregnancy, your heart beats 25% faster than usual to produce extra blood for you and your baby, leading to occasional palpitations.

Although heart palpitations during pregnancy are a common symptom, they can be unexpected and a cause for concern, especially when combined with other bodily changes, including a growing belly.

Read on to understand more about heart palpitations during pregnancy.

How do palpitations feel during pregnancy?

Different women experience heart palpitations in different ways. Some feel like their heart is pounding and flip-flopping inside their chest, while others feel uneasy or dizzy. However it is experienced, the main symptoms include:

1. Racing heartbeat
2. Fluttering sensation in the chest
3. Skipped or extra beats
4. Pounding
5. Irregular heart rate
    

What triggers heart palpitations during pregnancy?

Heart palpitations during pregnancy are usually a result of the body adapting to the new physical and hormonal demands of supporting a growing baby. Some of the most common causes are as follows:

1. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy increases the production of oestrogen and progesterone, which play a key role in foetal development, impacting blood circulation throughout the body.
2. Increased blood volume and cardiac output: During pregnancy, the blood volume increases by 50%, and the heart has to pump more blood to supply blood to the placenta and the baby.
3. Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress, anxiety and worry are common during pregnancy and can significantly affect heart rhythm. They lead to the release of adrenaline, which causes a faster or irregular heartbeat.
4. Caffeine or stimulants: Caffeine from coffee, tea, chocolate, or sodas can stimulate the heart and trigger palpitations in sensitive individuals.
5. Anaemia: Anaemia reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, so the heart overcompensates by beating faster, resulting in palpitations.
6. Thyroid Issues: An overactive thyroid can worsen or develop during pregnancy. It increases metabolism, causing symptoms like rapid heartbeat, nervousness and weight loss.
7. Underlying heart conditions: Sometimes, heart palpitations can also be caused by underlying heart conditions like arrhythmia, structural heart problems or high blood pressure.
8. Extra weight or obesity: People having extra weight or obesity are at a higher risk of having irregular heartbeats, palpitations or other heart diseases.

When should you be concerned?

While occasional palpitations are normal during pregnancy, specific symptoms should not be ignored. They indicate some underlying condition you might not be aware of and need medical attention for. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

1. Chest pain or tightness
2. Fainting or feeling like you might faint
3. Shortness of breath
4. Frequent palpitations
5. Severe or persistent dizziness
6. Sudden increase in heart rate without any reason
    

How is it diagnosed?

If you are experiencing any concerning palpitations during pregnancy, your doctor may perform a series of evaluations to identify the cause and ensure there is no underlying condition.

• Medical History and Symptom Review: The doctor will check the nature of your palpitations, like how often they occur, how long they last and what triggers or relieves them. You will also be asked about your diet, caffeine intake, stress levels and a history of thyroid and heart problems.
• Physical examination: A basic physical examination will be done to check blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels in the blood. Your doctor will also listen to your heartbeat to check for any irregularities.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A quick, painless test to monitor the electrical activity of the heart. This test helps detect irregular heartbeat or signs of strain on the heart.
• Holter Monitor: If the palpitations are irregular, you will be asked to wear a Holter monitor for 24-48 hours to track the activity of your heart throughout the day.
• Blood Test: You may also be recommended to take blood tests like CBC to check for signs of anaemia, thyroid function, vitamin deficiencies or electrolyte imbalance.

How to Manage Palpitations during Pregnancy?

Mild palpitations can be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes. Here are some effective ways to reduce their intensity and frequency:

1. Stay hydrated
2. Limit caffeine and stimulants
3. Practice relaxing techniques
4. Eat balanced meals
5. Sleep and rest well
6. Avoid overexertion.
7. Attend regular prenatal checkups
    

Palpitations can be an unexpected part of pregnancy, but understanding their causes and knowing how to deal with them helps in making them less concerning. In most cases, these are natural occurrences in pregnancy due to the changes taking place in the body. However, it is essential to be aware of how you feel to ensure you are not ignoring an underlying issue.

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