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  1 / 5 Your heart palpitations could be due… Pregnancy

  Other symptoms of pregnancy: Nausea, vomiting and fatigue are all common in the first trimester, but heart palpitations can occur throughout the whole pregnancy.

  Why it happens: In order to support the baby and prepare for childbirth, the body undergoes hormonal changes that make the blood volume increase and heart rate speed up. Palpitations occur most frequently in the third trimester, which is when your circulatory system becomes the most active.

  How to treat heart palpitations caused by pregnancy: If your resting heart rate goes over 100 beats per minute (BPM) or if the palpitations are accompanied by giddiness, fainting spells or breathlessness, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, it’s also recommended that you go for thorough check-ups before conceiving and alert your gynae if you are already expecting.

  Photo: puhhha / www.123rf.com

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  2 / 5 Your heart palpitations could be due to… Anxiety

  Other symptoms of anxiety: Hyperventilation, profuse sweating, headaches, stomach cramps, a choking sensation and uncontrollable trembling.

  Why it happens: Anxiety attacks often strike without warning, but can also be triggered by phobias. Someone who is extremely stressed or despondent could also be more likely to experience such attacks.

  How to treat heart palpitations caused by anxiety: Besides taking medication to calm down, you can also learn self-help techniques like breathing exercises that might help to prevent future attacks.

  (Also Read: 5 Healthy Ways To Cope With Stress And Anxiety)

  Photo: dolgachov / www.123rf.com

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  3 / 5 Your heart palpitations could be due to… Hyperthyroidism

  Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism: Irritation, restlessness, unexplained weight loss, hand tremors, diarrhoea and an irregular or heavy menstrual flow.

  Why it happens: When the thyroid produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, every function of the body tends to speed up and you may feel your heart racing. This is most common in young to middle-aged women.

  How to treat heart palpitations caused by hyperthyroidism: Medication is usually given to regulate your body’s production of thyroxine.

  Photo: Tharakorn Arunothai / www.123rf.com

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  4 / 5 Your heart palpitations could be due to… Too much caffeine

  Other symptoms of caffeine: Feeling tense and jittery, muscle twitches, insomnia, dizziness and faster heartbeats.

  Why it happens: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and leaves your body in a hyper-alert state.

  How to treat heart palpitations caused by caffeine: Everyone’s threshold of caffeine varies, so it’s best to cut down or skip it altogether if palpitations occur more frequently when you get your fix.

  Photo: wnaoki / www.123rf.com

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  5 / 5 Your heart palpitations could be due to… Arrhythmia

  Other symptoms of arrhythmia: Breathlessness, palpitations giddiness, fainting, chest pain and fatigue.

  Why it happens: A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm, it is often caused by an underlying illness like heart disease, diabetes or hypertension. Those who have previously had heart attacks are most prone to getting it.

  How to treat heart palpitations caused by arrhythmia: Treatments depend on the cause. Doctors might prescribe medication to prevent blood clots from forming to reduce stroke risk or recommend surgery to implant a pacemaker to restore a normal heart rhythm. Regular exercise and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol can also lower one’s risks.

  Photo: Brian Jackson / www.123rf.com

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Your heart palpitations could be due… Pregnancy Other symptoms of pregnancy: Nausea, vomiting and fatigue are all common in the first trimester, but heart palpitations can occur throughout the whole pregnancy. Why it happens: In order to support the baby and prepare for childbirth, the body undergoes hormonal changes that make the blood volume increase and heart rate speed up. Palpitations occur most frequently in the third trimester, which is when your circulatory system becomes the most active. How to treat heart palpitations caused by pregnancy: If your resting heart rate goes over 100 beats per minute (BPM) or if the palpitations are accompanied by giddiness, fainting spells or breathlessness, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, it’s also recommended that you go for thorough check-ups before conceiving and alert your gynae if you are already expecting. Photo: puhhha / www.123rf.com Your heart palpitations could be due to… Anxiety Other symptoms of anxiety: Hyperventilation, profuse sweating, headaches, stomach cramps, a choking sensation and uncontrollable trembling. Why it happens: Anxiety attacks often strike without warning, but can also be triggered by phobias. Someone who is extremely stressed or despondent could also be more likely to experience such attacks. How to treat heart palpitations caused by anxiety: Besides taking medication to calm down, you can also learn self-help techniques like breathing exercises that might help to prevent future attacks. (Also Read: 5 Healthy Ways To Cope With Stress And Anxiety) Photo: dolgachov / www.123rf.com Your heart palpitations could be due to… Hyperthyroidism Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism: Irritation, restlessness, unexplained weight loss, hand tremors, diarrhoea and an irregular or heavy menstrual flow. Why it happens: When the thyroid produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, every function of the body tends to speed up and you may feel your heart racing. This is most common in young to middle-aged women. How to treat heart palpitations caused by hyperthyroidism: Medication is usually given to regulate your body’s production of thyroxine. Photo: Tharakorn Arunothai / www.123rf.com Your heart palpitations could be due to… Too much caffeine Other symptoms of caffeine: Feeling tense and jittery, muscle twitches, insomnia, dizziness and faster heartbeats. Why it happens: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and leaves your body in a hyper-alert state. How to treat heart palpitations caused by caffeine: Everyone’s threshold of caffeine varies, so it’s best to cut down or skip it altogether if palpitations occur more frequently when you get your fix. Photo: wnaoki / www.123rf.com Your heart palpitations could be due to… Arrhythmia Other symptoms of arrhythmia: Breathlessness, palpitations giddiness, fainting, chest pain and fatigue. Why it happens: A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm, it is often caused by an underlying illness like heart disease, diabetes or hypertension. Those who have previously had heart attacks are most prone to getting it. How to treat heart palpitations caused by arrhythmia: Treatments depend on the cause. Doctors might prescribe medication to prevent blood clots from forming to reduce stroke risk or recommend surgery to implant a pacemaker to restore a normal heart rhythm. Regular exercise and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol can also lower one’s risks. Photo: Brian Jackson / www.123rf.com