what causes heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are sensations that feel like the heart is beating too hard, too fast, skipping a beat, or fluttering. They can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck and can be caused by a variety of factors. In many cases, the cause of heart palpitations cannot be found. However, common causes include strong emotional responses such as stress, anxiety, or panic attacks, strenuous exercise, stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, and cold and cough medications that contain pseudoephedrine, fever, and hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. Heart palpitations can also be a side effect of certain medications or a symptom of a more serious heart condition such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) . While heart palpitations are usually harmless, they can be a sign of a more serious health problem if they come with shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or fainting. If you experience heart palpitations, it is important to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause.