Does Anyone Get Heart Palpitations From Thyroid Problems? Do You Get Symptoms After They Happen?

Heart palpitations are minor electrical malfunctions in the body which can cause an irregular heartbeat, breaking it from a normal tempo. However, they are rarely serious conditions. To stop or ease palpitations when they occur, coughing during the palpitations can often force the heart back into its regular tempo. Sitting down and relaxing is also recommended, as extra stress may increase the irregularity of the heartbeat. Splashing your face with mild cold water could also encourage the nervous system to return to its normal rate, while slow and deep breathing will cause tension to be relieved. Additionally, a technique known as Valsalva's manoeuvre, where the nose is pinched and the mouth is closed, followed by a sharp blow, can force the heart back to normal through pressure. Reducing cigarette and caffeine intake can also prevent or reduce heart palpitations, as well as avoiding certain drugs such as Brethine, Dura-Gest and Hismanal.

I too have had these for a long time.  Over ten years now, since I was in my late 20s.  Usually my heart will do a false beat, kind of a thumpTHUMP.  Sometimes it will beat fast as hell for about 10 seconds for no apparent reason.  Sometimes it feels like it flutters.  I had a bad bout last night sitting in the car eating McD's poison, and actually felt like I was going to pass out.  I coughed really hard and that stopped it.  My dr seems totally unconcerned and keeps telling me it's anxiety, but I sometimes wonder if it is the palpitations that cause my anxiety, instead of the anxiety causing the palpitations, because I really don't' feel like I have anything to be anxious about.

I think we all know the feeling.....you think you are dying.  It's horrible.  I wouldn't wish it on anybody but it is somewhat comforting to know that you're not alone in this and it actually seems to be pretty common.  Good luck to you all.

I am grateful for all of your stories.  I have suffered with these for over 18 years.  Some years I would only experience 1 palp. Every 3 months, then other years I would have them 50 to 80 time a day or more.  I feel like I am trapped in a prison without walls.  Sometimes you don't want to go on.  I think a support group is needed for something like this where ( like here) we can share ideals and strengthen each other.  Today is one of the worst days I have had in 8 years.  This cannot be living.

I am 49 years old and female.  I have had palps since I was 20. I was tested many times with EKG's, echocardiograms, 24 hour holter monitor and stress tests...not just once but two and three times. When the 24 hour holter was performed the first time they called me into the hospital for further testing because of the amount of them. It ended up being nothing more than stress...every time. I suffer from them now more due to going thru hormonal changes due to my age. But even though I have suffered with them for almost 30 years I still worry when they occur. I have found over eating does it, worrying does it, sometimes walking on an incline even does it.  I have been to two different cardiologists for it and I was told that there is nothing wrong and not to worry. I think the key to controling them is relaxation methods. I am seriously thinking about joining a yoga class. Mine are sometimes a thump in the center of the chest or sometimes it feels like a fluttering inside my chest.

I just had a great episode of about 4 or 5 each lasting about 10 seconds long. Just when I would think it was done, BAM another one hit me. I coughed, tried to calm down since I am so used to these - had them for about 15 years ago. I had one big one and my heart beat went back to normal and I was able to relax. I really hate these. I never know when I'm going to get them and I'm too scared to go to the doc any more. I know I need to, maybe I will. I have read that hormones can also cause problems. I've always wondered if my hormones were out of whack. Oh well, it was great to read some of your comments as well. It's sort of refreshing to know others out there are going through the same thing - same thoughts - same fears.

As a 66 year old active male I've had palpitations for a couple of years now (first time was to the ER, and now I know it's nothing to worry about...but it's still uncomfortable). . Two months ago I had knee replacements (which are still healing, so there is some discomfort at night), and am getting more palpitations than I had previously. Last night was one of those thump THUMP thump THUMPs that went on for 2 hours. My wife has had palpitations since adolescence. She says lying flat on floor on back helps her (and I've found this to be true some times).  Also the grunt that goes with a strong bowel movement compresses the diaphragm a little and may help. I have noticed that lowering caffeine and alcohol intake helps a lot.  But the main thing, as Douglas Adams said, is "don't panic!" You aren't going to die of this, you are just going to be uncomfortable for a while.

I first got my palps in May 2009 and the source of the cause then was 2 months of fast food Wendy's and Mc'Ds SWEET TEA LARGE size as much as 2-3 times a day. We were in the process of moving/selling our house..plus I had anxiety and anger towards my mother in law at the same time. Palps went on for 2 months non-stop...then ceased..coming and going...Starting in middle of the month of June 09 I stopped the SWEET TEA after reading up on it on the internet...I had no idea it could of been the caffeine. In August 09 saw my obgyn (b/c I had a son in 08) for a yearly follow up and told him about it. He said it was a combo of anxiety, caffeine, and probably hormone imbalance. I was prescribed birthcontrol, zoloft, and xanax-es -which all was to be taken monthly...zoloft for 1 year and xanax-es for 6m. Unfortunately, we were unable to afford those 2 meds and we lost our health insurance during this time. My palps come and go as in during the day and between days. It can be during any type of situation. Drinking cold or hot things....laying halfway up in my bed, getting mad and angry, just standing around, I've had a couple during this typing of this blog....and just for no reason. Some palps feel harder than others...I yawn or cough (unintentionally). I feel as if they are here to stay until it gradually goes into something else...or if it's already there I just don't know it yet. Sad isn't it.....

Please, if this keeps up, don't take a "Nothings wrong" answer from your doctor. I was having palpitations now and then for years. I was given all the holter monitoring (24hr, 30 day etc.). The doctor told me he couldn't find anything wrong and after months of me bugging him for another answer, he sent me to another heart doctor to shock my heart and see if there was anything going on. I was told it might be in the top part of my heart and that was non-life-threatening, or it could be in the bottom and be life threatening. It was in the bottom, so I had to have a pacemaker/defibrillator placed in my chest. Five months later it shocked me for the first time. The doctor said if it hadn't I would be dead. It has since shocked me 2 more times to bring me back from the brink of death. Sometimes the heart can't recover the palpitations on its own. This is the main cause of sudden death from cardiac arrest. I hope this helps, and best of luck!

Get checked out for sure. If you're fine, you may be magnesium deficient.  Take liquid magnesium.  It really helps.  Mine stopped almost completely.  Try not to worry about it.

I get them too and many a time I have thought "so this is it - this is how I die",,,,I get palpitations if I drink alcohol, eat a large meal, and if I think about them too much! I quit smoking 3 months ago and I still get them. If I get them I resign myself that I am about to die, I have faced it so many times I just don't care anymore....

I'm only 22. Ive been smoking since I was 14, and drink heavily. Ive been on anti-anxiety medication for the past 4 years and have been slowly decreasing over the last 2. Last year I began having heart palpitations, accompanied by breathing difficulty, heart pain etc. The palpitations are particularly bad after drinking. I'm going to have to stop, but they are seriously ruining my life. I get light headed and feel close to passing out all the time and fear that I'm going to drop dead at any second. I can't take it anymore.

I am a 21 year old female. I'm not sure if I'm having palpations. My heart feels like it hurts every couple of beats, its hard to describe the feeling. I had palpations before about 7 months ago where my heart seemed to flip flop. But I'm really scared about this. Do palpations usually heart. Do you feel pain in your actual heart. Please help! I'm feeling pain right now. I'm not sure what to do....

I'm 28 year old female and like most of you am starting to feel very hopeless with this palpitation thing. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with an arrhythmia, probably due to vegetarianism and excessive drug and alcohol use...I was told to stop my bad habits, and that I needed to start eating meat so they would get better....I did this and surprisingly they did....For years I would feel palpitations maybe once or twice a month, it was no longer an issue. 7 days ago they started and never stopped. So random and out of the blue. I feel as if the entire day is one long palpitation. I feel heaviness in my chest, breathlessness, and dizziness, and they are getting worse and worse every day. My Dr. Told me it was PVC and that I should not worry. She also told me they should go away in a few days...that didn't happen...I feel like I am going to drop dead any second.....I need some advice desperately

Yes, I had the right lobe of my thyroid removed over thirty years ago.  For several years I had heart palputations and still cannot take thyroid medications.  I took inderal for several years to slow rapid heart beat, but after several years things calmed down and I seldom have problems.  sometimes you just have to experiment with medications until you find the one that makes you feel normal.

I suffer from depression, anxiety disorder and high blood pressure. Sometimes I will be awakened by fast , racing heart beat. I will then panic more and search for how to reduce the heart-beat. What is wrong with me?,

I suffer from them too as of about a week ago. When I was 15 I was diagnosed with diagnosed Valve Prolapse, which is a typical cause for them. Only wonder is why now? I was told to cut back on caffeine... Lots of cokes. And cigarettes,,, but as far as getting rid of them... I find trying as hard as you can to find something else to think about works best. Also there are several techniques that supposedly help but I'm not 100% positive on it. But they say try to tense all of your muscles at the same time then completely relax... And repeat. So Ill be trying things like this... Also deep relazation methods such as yoga, tai chi, and things of that sort. All I can say is relax. Its all you can do. Because freakin out obviously doesnt help your heart.

Hope this helps someone.

I also suffer heart palpitations in my work. I just take lexotan and it works. In a few minutes its gone and I'm relax but only a doctor with s2 can give that med

I get the racing kind of palpitation where my heart doubles in speed for a while. I went for some tests but was told its just an electrical short-circuit between the chambers, and not to worry.

To fix it I usually lie on my back and hold my breath for a while. After 20-40 seconds I restart breathing but then breathe really hard, fast and deep. If it doesn't stop on the first try it usually only takes 1-2 more cycles. I guess the common theme with other people's advice is that its the shock to the heart to just force it to go back into a normal rhythm.

I do find that it becomes a lot more difficult to stop it if I'm drunk, or if I'm on certain types of medication (due to e.g. Common flu etc)

I had a heart palpitations for the last three months or so.  I had a pacemaker put in three years ago.  Y have these palps started now.   It could be an increase in stress or smoking has finally caught up with me.  I don't know but they worry me.  My heart specialist says everything is fine with my heart.  I would have to disagree.  Y now?  I am losing my mind some days worried sick over them.  God grant me the strength.

They are driving me crazy and I've tried all the suggestions.  I've gone to the doctor and they also told me that these are not serious.  I don't care anymore...  I just want them gone.  Days and days at a time is enough!!

I recently went to the dentist to do dental work and dentist put my mouth to sleep don't know what he used but I felt like my heart was beating so fast and I got scared he told me it was normal and told me to relax and it went away .but now after a week later I'm stated to feel the same thing feel like I can't breath and having a panic attack . Is this normal or will go away in time ? Please help?

Go get tested for factor five. I had a heart attack at twenty, after every doctor told me that nothing was wrong with me. They then proceeded to tell me they couldn't explain the heart attack at all because there was nothing wrong with me, except the obvious damage. After years, I'm told I have factor five.

Hyperthyroidism is the condition when thyroid gland produces more thyroxine hormone. This condition can cause many symptoms including palpitations. Other symptoms are arrhythmias, shortness of breath, anxiety, intolerance to heat, fatigue, weight and hair loss, weakness, hyperactivity, irritability, polyuria, polydipsia, apathy, depression, loss of libido, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
These symptoms can be managed by regular intake of medicines.

Well most people say cough a really good one can help stop it I suffer from that too so be positive everything will work out for the good. I got my blood work done too and everything is normal in the name of jesus it is. Believe be positive because it will change the chemical inbalance  in your brain for depression and aniexity it will get rid of those hormones in you and you will be on top of the world good bless everyone on here who has problems with heart palpitations and stress and other problems your strong and you will get through it. It may be a storm now but we got our umbrellas and raincoats... It will passs very soon.

You will need to be on medication for that. If you are having heart palpitations you should be checked before it could turn into something very serious.

I have cardiac sarcoid which has resulted in VT which is where the bottom chambers race out of control. This is potentially a killer so I had a Implantable Cardioversion Defibrillator inserted in my chest. I have regular palpitations although not serious or long enough to set the device into giving me a shock, at least not so far. In four years I have been shocked twice and one of those was an error by the device. But, I still have odd little runs or the thump feeling others described here. Whenever it happens I panic that the device is going to give me a shock as it isn't very pleasant. I have found Valsalva can help or sometimes a violent cough as well. I was looking for something else that could help with the eptopic beats etc that are uncomfortable which led me to this page. One thing that I would suggest to anyone who has palpitations is to see a doctor. If you are not happy then get a second opinion and insist on an ecg or the holter monitor tests. When I first had trouble I was in hospital for a week on the cardiac ward before the doctors there could agree on what type of problem I was having so I would advise anyone who is unhappy with what their doctor says to seek a second opinion. And if anyone is having these and hasnt visited a doctor then get an appointment and get checked out as there is a chance that it can be life threatening and there are treatments out there that can save your life, or certainly change it for the better.

I have these as well. I have had them for a few years now. Mine started when my marriage broke up and had to work nights with 3 children to care for during the day. I assumed they would stop after my life got back on track, but they are back again. I rarely get the racing heart beats mine are a big long thump then back to normal. Sleeping for a bit usually takes them away and they stay away for months but this time it is not as easy. I am on medications but they don't seem to have much effect. It does seem to help reading and knowing I am not the only one it drives crazy and wondering if it is something major. I have had all the test and nothing comes back abnormal. I might have to go again though. I am hoping one day something will work. God bless everyone and good luck.

I'm a female almost 19 years old and I have been having them for about a year now. 6 months ago, I moved away from everybody and all the connections I had to get a clear head. I use to be heavy into different drugs and opiates and drank a lot but I didn't smoke many cigs. Well since then I am still having them. I cut out my caffeine and I drink a lot of coffee. It did help some but I am getting them more now and don't know what to do. The coughing and plugging my nose and all that doesn't help I take yoga and exercise regularly too to help with stress but nothing seems to help. I feel like I'm dying. Is it weird to have palpitations this young? What is causing this? I can not go to a doctor with my current financial situation. What are other ways at home to stop? Or should I wait to can afford it to see a doc even though he'll probably tell me it's nothing. They don't give meds for this anyway right? I see it pointless to go to a doctor.

I have it! I'm 15 years old. Its hard for me to breathe. I can't stand my medication. With it , I feel dizzy. Without it , I feel like passing out. I hate life now that I have this. I know it can be cure. But til then! I hate this! I can't even go to sleep

My wife had heart palpitations and was always cold when it was a comfortable temp. For everyone else I told her that she my need iron supplements she mentioned her symptoms to a nurse she worked with and she told her the some thing most women are anemic due to their monthly thing

Ive been suffering from anxiety for 6 months now on and off but in the last week I had my first panic attack. Since then I have had heart palpitations, ive found meditation or thai chi is very good for clearing all bad thoughts from the mind. My palpitations don't hurt but can be very scary. Hypnotherapy also helps. I find medicines only worsen the situation. Try talking to your local mental health team, I know it seems extreme but its better than living with these symptoms.

No, but I agree with Carlas answer.  Also, if you are experiencing issues that you have not been checked out for I suggest you get checked out by your doctor.  Good luck and take care.

There are two kinds of palpitations. One is if you have a physical defect like a prolapsed mitral valve or defective purkinje fibbers. The second is if you are suffering from chronic acidosis and now have so much internal inflammation that you get breakthrough palps one or more times per day. If you are in the latter group, then the good news is this can be fixed. Go to www.stopheartpalpitations.com and read. Then contact me.

Nick :)