Prevention of palpitations

Not all palpitations can be prevented, but you can reduce how often they occur.

Everyday steps

• Limit caffeine, including coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks
• Avoid nicotine and tobacco, and keep alcohol low
• Sleep well: aim for 7 to 8 hours at regular times
• Manage stress: breathing practice, meditation, yoga, walks and time with friends
• Stay active: regular moderate exercise lowers resting heart rate and improves heart health
• Drink enough water and eat regular meals
• Keep a healthy weight and control blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
• Check medicines: ask whether cold remedies, decongestants or inhalers can trigger palpitations

Check for causes

• Anaemia, thyroid problems and electrolyte imbalance are common and treatable causes
• If you have known heart disease, take prescribed medicines and attend follow-up

Keep a diary

Noting your triggers (a late coffee, stress, a certain medicine) helps you avoid them.

Ayurvedic view

Traditional advice for a calm heart includes regular routines, adequate sleep, moderate exercise, warm light meals and stress care. These overlap with modern advice. Claims that a herb prevents heart rhythm problems are not proven.

See a doctor if palpitations are new, increasing, or you have a family history of sudden cardiac death or heart rhythm disease.

When to get help

See a doctor if palpitations are new, frequent, last more than a few minutes, or come with dizziness, chest discomfort or breathlessness. An ECG, simple blood tests and a heart rhythm monitor can usually find the cause. Call 112 for chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness.

Remember

Fewer stimulants, good sleep and stress care prevent most everyday palpitations.