SYMPTOM
Feeling your heart pound or beat very fast when you aren't exerting yourself or don't have an obvious trigger.
For general awareness only. This is not medical advice. If symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 10 causes
Caffeine or stimulant intake
Substances like caffeine or certain medications directly stimulate your heart. This causes it to beat faster and harder, often without any physical exertion.
Anxiety or panic attack
Your brain releases stress hormones like adrenaline, which speeds up your heart rate.
Dehydration
With dehydration, your blood volume drops. Your heart beats faster to account for this reduced volume to maintain adequate blood flow.
Supraventricular tachycardia
This is an electrical issue where rapid heartbeats start in your upper heart chambers. It causes a sudden, fast heart rate that could feel alarming.
Overactive thyroid
Your thyroid gland produces too much hormone, which would increase your metabolism and heart rate.
Fever
Your body's metabolic rate increases when fighting infection. This raises your heart rate.
Anemia
Fewer healthy red blood cells reduces reduces oxygen delivery to your tissues and muscles. To account for this, your heart races to circulate more blood faster.
Low blood sugar
When your blood glucose drops too low, your body releases adrenaline. This hormone causes your heart to race and could make you feel shaky.
Electrolyte imbalance
Disruptions in minerals like potassium or magnesium affect your heart's electrical signals. This could lead to irregular or racing heartbeats.
Pheochromocytoma
This rare tumor releases excess adrenaline and noradrenaline. It causes sudden episodes of very fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and sweating.