Palpitations

The sensation or feeling of a pounding or racing heart is known as heart palpitations. These palpitations can be felt in the neck, chest or throat. It can make your heart feel like it's beating too fast or hard. One can also be experiencing a fluttering heartbeat or like the heart is skipping a beat. If you experience palpitations you can feel frightened and it can be bothersome. However, usually, palpitations are not harmful or serious and generally tend to resolve on their own. It’s common for people to experience palpitations due to stress and anxiety or because one has consumed excessive alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. It is also common for pregnant women to experience palpitations. 

However, in some cases, palpitations can be caused due to a serious heart condition. If you experience frequent palpitations or have other symptoms that may indicate a heart condition it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately. You should get immediate medical attention in case you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting along with palpitations. Symptoms that can be seen in the case of palpitations include experiencing a heartbeat that seems like it is flip-flopping, pounding or skipping beats. 

The treatment for palpitations will depend on the cause of the symptom. Your doctor can suggest relaxation exercises, yoga, aromatherapy and other methods that can help you with staying calm. If the cause behind the palpitations is cardiovascular disease, the treatment will be decided by your doctor after further tests.