Why Does Palpitations Happen?

Learn why palpitations occurs, its underlying mechanisms, and the most common medical causes.

When Is Palpitations Dangerous?

Understand the warning signs that make palpitations a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

How to Relieve Palpitations

Proven methods and practical steps to relieve palpitations quickly and safely at home.

What Causes Palpitations?

A complete overview of all potential causes of palpitations, from benign to serious medical conditions.

Can Stress Cause Palpitations?

Explore how psychological stress and anxiety can directly trigger or worsen palpitations.

Why Is Palpitations Worse in the Morning?

Understand why palpitations is typically worse in the morning and what happens during sleep to cause this pattern.

Why Does Palpitations Occur After Exercise?

Find out why exercise triggers or worsens palpitations and how to manage exercise-induced symptoms safely.

Why Does Palpitations Flare Up When Stressed?

Explore the physiological link between psychological stress and palpitations flare-ups, and how to break the cycle.

VHOSPITAL.CLINIC · Palpitations

Palpitations in Children — Paediatric Causes & When to See a Doctor

Palpitations in children often has distinct causes, presentations and management compared to adults. Children's immune systems, smaller airways, developing metabolic pathways and limited ability to communicate symptoms mean that paediatric palpitations deserves a tailored clinical approach. Age of onset, feeding status and vaccination history are key assessment factors.

Why Palpitations Occurs In Children

→Children's airways are narrower proportionally — inflammation has a greater functional impact
→Immature immune response makes viral and bacterial infections the most common childhood triggers
→Febrile convulsions can accompany high fever in children under 6 — requires urgent evaluation
→Dehydration progresses faster in infants due to higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio
→Normal developmental milestones can influence symptom patterns (teething, growth spurts)

Common Causes of Palpitations

1
Infections and inflammation — bacterial, viral, or autoimmune triggers activate palpitations
2
Metabolic disturbances — hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or blood sugar changes
3
Structural or vascular causes — tissue damage, nerve compression, or circulatory problems
4
Psychological factors — stress, anxiety, and depression can produce measurable physical palpitations
5
Underlying conditions such as Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Anxiety Disorder frequently present with palpitations as a core feature
6
Dangerous palpitations is often linked to acute conditions such as Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism
7
Vascular emergencies — stroke, pulmonary embolism, heart attack — can present with palpitations
8
Severe infections (sepsis, meningitis) may cause palpitations as a systemic alarm signal
9
Toxic exposures or medication overdose can trigger acute palpitations
10
Trauma or internal injury causing tissue or organ damage
11
Tension and muscle tightness — often relieved by stretching, heat, and relaxation
12
Dehydration — respond to increased fluid intake within 30–60 minutes
13
Stress and anxiety — improved by breathing exercises, mindfulness, and rest
14
Inflammatory processes — NSAIDs or antihistamines can provide relief
15
Positional or ergonomic factors — correcting posture or position resolves palpitations
16
Infectious causes: viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens triggering systemic or localised palpitations
17
Inflammatory/autoimmune: the body's immune response producing palpitations as a bystander effect
18
Metabolic: disorders of thyroid, adrenal, or blood glucose regulation
19
Structural/mechanical: nerve compression, joint damage, or organ enlargement
20
Underlying conditions: Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Anxiety Disorder, Heart Attack are among the leading identifiable causes
21
Cortisol and adrenaline surges alter inflammation, pain sensitivity, and muscle tension
22
Autonomic dysregulation affects heart rate, digestion, breathing, and vascular tone
23
Psychological hypervigilance amplifies the perception of palpitations
24
Chronic stress disrupts sleep, which independently worsens palpitations
25
Behavioural changes under stress (poor diet, caffeine, inactivity) contribute to palpitations
26
Cortisol nadir at night: cortisol (the body's natural anti-inflammatory) is lowest at 3–4 AM, allowing inflammation to peak — worsening palpitations in early morning
27
Dehydration during sleep: 6–8 hours without fluid intake concentrates blood and reduces tissue hydration, intensifying palpitations
28
Sleep position: sustained pressure, poor neck or spinal alignment, or restricted circulation overnight amplifies palpitations by morning
29
Inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis): classic morning stiffness and palpitations lasting >30 minutes indicates active inflammation
30
Nocturnal hypoglycaemia or respiratory changes: low blood sugar or mild oxygen desaturation during sleep contributes to morning palpitations
31
Exercise-induced blood flow redistribution: during exertion, blood is diverted to working muscles, which can trigger palpitations in other tissues
32
Dehydration and electrolyte loss: sweat-driven fluid loss increases palpitations particularly in hot environments
33
Lactic acid accumulation and metabolic acidosis: intense exercise generates lactic acid, causing muscle palpitations and systemic effects
34
Post-exercise inflammatory response: micro-tears in muscles trigger a local inflammatory cascade that produces palpitations 12–48 hours later (DOMS)
35
Underlying conditions such as Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism may be unmasked by the physiological stress of exercise
36
Sympathetic nervous system activation: adrenaline and noradrenaline increase heart rate, muscle tension, and pain sensitivity — all of which worsen palpitations
37
HPA axis activation: cortisol spikes acutely under stress, then becomes dysregulated with chronic stress, driving systemic inflammation
38
Muscle tension: stress causes involuntary clenching and guarding, amplifying musculoskeletal palpitations
39
Hyperventilation: stress-induced breathing changes alter blood CO₂ and pH, contributing to palpitations including dizziness, tingling, and chest tightness
40
Gut-brain axis dysregulation: stress disrupts gastrointestinal motility and microbiome balance, causing or worsening visceral palpitations
41
Acute (minutes to hours): benign causes such as tension, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, or transient vascular changes
42
Subacute (days to 1–2 weeks): infections, post-viral syndromes, minor injuries, or medication effects
43
Prolonged (2–6 weeks): inflammatory responses, subacute infections, or early manifestations of conditions like Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism
44
Chronic (>6 weeks or recurring): underlying chronic disease, functional disorders, or inadequately treated acute causes
45
Episodic (recurs and remits): migraine, IBS, asthma, anxiety disorders — each episode may be brief but the condition is chronic
46
GP (General Practitioner): first point of contact for all new palpitations — can diagnose common causes and coordinate specialist referral
47
Relevant conditions like Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Anxiety Disorder may require specific specialists for full evaluation
48
If palpitations has a clear systemic pattern, a general internist or hospital physician provides comprehensive assessment
49
For chronic or recurrent palpitations that has resisted primary care treatment, specialist input significantly improves outcomes
50
Emergency department: for sudden, severe, or neurologically associated palpitations that cannot wait for an appointment

⚠ Red Flags — Seek Immediate Help

⚠Sudden, severe palpitations that peaks within seconds to minutes
⚠Palpitations accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or neurological changes
⚠Onset after trauma, head injury, or toxic exposure
⚠Progressive worsening over days or weeks without a clear cause
⚠Palpitations in a high-risk individual (age >65, immunocompromised, or pregnant)
⚠Sudden onset of severe palpitations — 'thunderclap' or 'worst-ever' character
⚠Palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, or arm/jaw pain
⚠Neurological accompaniments: confusion, slurred speech, facial droop, limb weakness
⚠High fever (>39°C), neck stiffness, photophobia, or rash with palpitations
⚠Onset after significant trauma, fall, or accident
⚠Palpitations that does not respond to standard relief measures after 24 hours
⚠Worsening palpitations despite rest, hydration, and over-the-counter treatment
⚠New or unusual features accompanying palpitations during a relief attempt
⚠Any sign of systemic illness: fever, vomiting, or spreading pain
⚠History of serious underlying conditions that could explain palpitations
⚠Unintentional weight loss accompanying palpitations (possible malignancy or metabolic disease)
⚠Night sweats, fever, and palpitations persisting >2 weeks
⚠New palpitations in someone with a known cancer, immunosuppression, or recent surgery
⚠Rapid progression or change in the character of long-standing palpitations
⚠Family history of serious hereditary conditions presenting with palpitations
⚠Palpitations that is constant and severe — stress rarely causes unremitting extreme palpitations
⚠Physical signs of organic disease: visible swelling, bleeding, weight loss
⚠No correlation between stress levels and palpitations intensity
⚠New palpitations after starting a new medication — may be pharmacological, not stress-related
⚠Pre-existing serious conditions that could explain palpitations independent of stress
⚠Morning palpitations lasting more than 1 hour — suggests active inflammatory disease requiring evaluation
⚠Associated with morning sweats, fever, or unexplained weight loss
⚠Palpitations that prevents you from getting out of bed or performing morning activities
⚠Progressive worsening of morning palpitations over weeks despite rest
⚠New morning palpitations in someone over 50 or with known inflammatory or cardiac disease
⚠Palpitations during (not just after) exercise — especially chest tightness, severe breathlessness, or dizziness — requires immediate cessation and medical evaluation
⚠New, severe, or crushing palpitations during exercise in someone with cardiac risk factors
⚠Palpitations accompanied by fainting, collapse, extreme pallor, or racing heart during exertion
⚠Post-exercise palpitations that is significantly worse than usual after the same exercise intensity
⚠Palpitations that takes more than 24 hours to resolve after moderate exercise
⚠Palpitations that is constant and severe, even during periods of low stress — stress rarely sustains maximum-intensity palpitations
⚠Physical signs that suggest organic disease: visible swelling, bleeding, or objective neurological changes
⚠Rapid deterioration despite stress management — suggests an underlying medical condition
⚠Panic attack-like episodes: if palpitations accompanies racing heart, chest pain, and fear of dying, seek urgent evaluation
⚠Acute palpitations that is the most severe you have experienced — duration alone does not indicate safety
⚠Subacute palpitations that is progressively worsening rather than improving
⚠Chronic palpitations (>6 weeks) without a clear diagnosis or explanation
⚠Recurring palpitations that is getting more frequent or more severe between episodes
⚠Any duration of palpitations accompanied by fever, weight loss, neurological changes, or bleeding
⚠Severe or sudden palpitations — go to emergency rather than waiting for a GP appointment
⚠Neurological symptoms (confusion, weakness, vision loss) with palpitations — emergency neurology evaluation
⚠Palpitations with fever, weight loss, or night sweats — urgent GP assessment within 24–48 hours
⚠Cardiac symptoms (chest pain, palpitations) alongside palpitations — emergency cardiology or A&E
⚠If you are immunocompromised, pregnant, or >65 years, lower your threshold for urgent medical contact

Take your child to emergency care for high fever with stiff neck, rash that does not fade under pressure, seizures, difficulty breathing, or signs of severe dehydration.

When to See a Doctor

→Palpitations is sudden, severe, or described as 'the worst you've ever experienced'
→Associated symptoms include fever >39°C, vision changes, confusion, or weakness
→Symptoms persist beyond 72 hours or are progressively worsening
→Any red-flag palpitations requires immediate emergency evaluation — do not wait
→Even moderate palpitations in high-risk groups (elderly, cardiac, diabetic) warrants same-day assessment
→Recurrent or escalating palpitations without a clear diagnosis needs specialist evaluation
→Palpitations is severe, does not improve within 48 hours, or recurs frequently
→Self-care measures fail or palpitations interferes significantly with daily activities
→You suspect an underlying condition is causing recurring palpitations
→Palpitations persists beyond 1 week without an obvious cause
→Severity is moderate-to-severe or worsening over time
→Any red-flag features are present (see above)
→Stress-related palpitations is frequent, severe, or significantly impairing quality of life
→Standard stress-management techniques provide no relief after 4–6 weeks
→You cannot determine whether palpitations is stress-related or organic in origin
→Morning palpitations consistently lasts more than 30–60 minutes
→Associated stiffness, swelling, or joint changes on waking
→Morning palpitations has been progressively worsening for more than 2 weeks
→Palpitations occurs consistently during exercise, particularly involving chest, jaw, or left arm
→Post-exercise palpitations is worsening with each session or takes increasingly long to resolve
→You have cardiovascular risk factors and develop new exercise-related palpitations
→Stress-related palpitations significantly impairs work, relationships, or daily functioning
→Standard stress management has not improved palpitations after 4–6 weeks of consistent practice
→You are unsure whether your palpitations is stress-related or has an organic cause
→Palpitations persists for more than 7–10 days without a clear, improving cause
→Each episode of palpitations is lasting longer than the previous one
→You have had recurrent palpitations without a formal diagnosis or management plan
→Any new, unexplained, or persistent palpitations lasting more than 1 week should prompt a GP visit
→If palpitations is associated with any red-flag features, seek same-day or emergency evaluation
→Recurrent palpitations without a formal diagnosis needs structured investigation

Conditions That May Cause Palpitations In Children

These conditions are particularly common causes of palpitations in children and adolescents.

Expert Q&A: Palpitations In Children

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