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Heart Palpitations: Home Remedies For Fast Heartbeat

Medically reviewed by Lauren Labrador, MD, FPCP, DPCC · Cardiology


Written by Hello Doctor Medical Panel · Updated Dec 04, 2022

    Heart Palpitations: Home Remedies For Fast Heartbeat

    Do you ever experience a rapid increase in the rate at which your heart beats or flutters? When you have heart palpitations, your heartbeat feels uncomfortable or unusual. You may feel it in your chest, neck, or throat, and it may seem like it is racing or beating quickly. Heart palpitations can happen at any time, whether you’re moving around, sitting, lying down, or standing still.

    Here’s how to manage it.

    10 Home Remedies For Fast Heartbeat

    Practice breathing exercises

    Managing your stress through relaxation can help. Good options include: meditation, tai chi, and yoga. Try sitting cross-legged and taking a slow breath in through your nostrils and out through your mouth, repeat until you feel calm. Stress can cause or worsen heart palpitations, so it’s important to focus on relaxing throughout the day, not just when you experience palpitations or a racing heart.

    Keeping your overall stress levels low can help you avoid episodes of rapid heartbeat and gradually lower your resting heart rate. Biofeedback and guided imagery are other useful techniques. Y Stop and take five deep breaths every one to two hours to help calm your mind and keep you relaxed.

    Avoid stimulants

    If you regularly consume caffeine, nicotine, some cold medications, or energy drinks, your heart may beat rapidly or erratically. Cutting these substances out of your diet may reduce or even eliminate your symptoms. Some of the chemicals that may increase your risk of having a rapid heartbeat include:

    • Smoking
    • Caffeine-rich foods and drinks
    • Binge-drinking
    • Some anti-cough medications, hunger suppressants, medications for mental health conditions, and pharmaceuticals for high blood pressure
    • Illicit substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or other stimulants

    Try keeping a record of the foods you consume that may give you heart palpitations. If at all feasible, avoid any foods you believe may be the source of your symptoms. Consult your doctor if you think a prescription drug is to blame for your symptoms.

    Exercise regularly

    The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. Cardio doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, brisk walks have a number of health benefits, including weight loss, lowered blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular health. Vigorous activity is one of the common causes of heart palpitations, which are usually not dangerous.

    Key Takeaways

    Most cases of heart palpitations are not considered serious unless you have underlying heart disease. Your heart palpitations may not need special treatment beyond lifestyle changes. However, your doctor still needs to know what you’re experiencing. Avoiding triggers of heart palpitations may help reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Consult your doctor. 

    Learn more about Heart Arrhythmias here

    Disclaimer

    Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    Medically reviewed by

    Lauren Labrador, MD, FPCP, DPCC

    Cardiology


    Written by Hello Doctor Medical Panel · Updated Dec 04, 2022

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