If your heart skips a beat, there may be a problem—or you may just have had too much coffee.

You might believe that the flutter in your breast is the start of your happily ever after thanks to Hollywood rom-com. But what about the instances when romance isn’t the main reason why your heart skips a beat?

If your lub-dub lub-dub turns into a lub-dub LUB-dub, should you be alarmed?

Short-lived variations in your heartbeat are referred to as heart palpitations by doctors. According to cardiologist Justin Lee, MD, a fast thud is probably not harmful in the absence of any other symptoms.

Talk to your doctor or go to the emergency department if you experience palpitations along with other symptoms including a fast heartbeat (110 beats per minute or more), lightheadedness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. Otherwise, it’s perfectly normal to experience an occasional off-beat pitter-patter of your heart.

Dr. Lee explains some of the typical causes of your heart’s sporadic irregular heartbeat.

What are heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are momentary alteration in the rhythm of your heart. Even though our hearts are constantly pumping blood throughout our bodies, we typically aren’t aware of it. So, it can be shocking when you suddenly become aware of your heart beating.

If you have palpitations, you might feel something like:

  • An extra beat.
  • Flip-flopping.
  • Fluttering.
  • Missing a beat.
  • Pounding.
  • Racing.

Atrial ventricular complexes are the medical term for skipped beats in your heart’s upper chambers (AVCs). Premature ventricular complexes are what they are known as when they originate from your heart’s lower chambers (PVCs).

A medical professional should be consulted if you experience palpitations quite frequently, or when they occur many times per day. Yet if you experience a fluttering or flopping sensation occasionally throughout the day while maintaining a normal heart rate, something in your life may be the trigger.

Identifying the trigger allows you to stop it and stop your racing heart.

Why do heart palpitations occur?

Well, so you experienced a flutter, your heart rate is typical, and you are otherwise in good health.

What then could be causing your heart to race?

The spike in adrenaline levels in your body is frequently the cause of non-threatening heart palpitations, according to Dr. Lee. Your body enters “fight or flight” mode when adrenaline is released. In response to a threat, adrenaline causes your heart to beat more quickly.

Some common causes are explained by Dr. Lee.

1. Powerful feelings

Your heart can race for a variety of reasons, not only when you’re completely over heads in love. (And, yes, it’s true that the anxiousness and excitement that come with falling in love can in fact cause your heart to skip a beat.)

Heart palpitations may also result from other powerful emotions, such as:

  • Anger.
  • Anxiety.
  • Fear.
  • Nervousness.
  • Panic.
  • Stress.

“When we’re experiencing intense emotions or feeling uneasy in a scenario, our hearts frequently start to race. That’s our sympathetic nervous system, or the “fight or flight response,” kicking in to assist us in fending off what it perceives as a threat, according to Dr. Lee. “The activation may briefly cause the heart to skip a beat or flutter.”

He suggests doing deep breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques to soothe your stressed nerves and restore your heartbeat.

2. Too much caffeine

Your heart might not be doing well after all from that double-espresso venti latte. According to researchers, consuming caffeine was linked to a 54% rise in heart palpitations in at least one study.

A stimulant, caffeine is. Your neurological system is jolted into action, sending your body on high alert. But, if you consume too many energy drinks, your heart may begin to race.

Your sensitivity to caffeine and other factors will determine how much caffeine it takes to produce palpitations. Go for no more than four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee per day for healthy individuals.

3. Smoking

Nicotine is a stimulant that, like caffeine, can speed up your heart rate and produce palpitations. Nicotine is addicting and harmful to your heart, lungs, and other organs, whether it comes from cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes.

One of the best methods to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other dangerous disorders is to stop smoking.

4. Pregnancy 

Your blood volume increases significantly (by roughly 50%) during pregnancy to support the developing fetus. Your heart may occasionally flutter because your body has to work harder to move that blood. Palpitations during pregnancy are fairly typical, especially in the third trimester.

See your doctor if you are pregnant and have palpitations, especially if you have a heart problem or another medical issue that might be connected.

5. Arrhythmia

There is a distinction between a palpitation, which is a momentary shift in your heartbeat, and an arrhythmia, which is a persistently fast or slow heartbeat. Certain arrhythmias can cause cardiac failure and stroke.

The symptoms of palpitations include fluttering, thumping, and other heart-related sensations. How swiftly your heart is pounding is indicated by your heart rate.

There are several causes of palpitations that do not cause concern, according to Dr. Lee. Nonetheless, you should seek medical assistance if you have palpitations and your heart rate is abnormally high or low.

Dr. Lee advises testing your heart rate if you’re experiencing palpitations, either by feeling your pulse or by utilizing a gadget like a smartwatch that has a heart rate sensor. Adults typically have a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.

The best course of action, according to Dr. Lee, is to consult a medical professional if you regularly experience palpitations or if they linger for more than a few minutes. Your palpitations can simply be a warning that you need to reduce your caffeine intake or take a much-needed rest. Nonetheless, your doctor will be able to assist you in identifying the root of the problem.