Can Anxiety Cause Heart Palpitations?
Anxiety affects more than just thoughts and emotions—it can also influence physical health. One of the most common symptoms people notice is a racing or fluttering heartbeat. Yes, anxiety can cause heart palpitations, making the heart feel like it is pounding, skipping beats, or beating faster than normal.
Anxiety activates the body’s “fight or flight” response. When stress hormones surge, the heart works harder, which can create noticeable changes in rhythm. While these sensations often come from anxiety, they can sometimes overlap with heart conditions, so it’s important to understand the difference.
Definition of Symptom
Heart palpitations describe the feeling of an irregular or unusual heartbeat. A person may notice a fluttering sensation, a racing heart, or the sense that the heart is skipping beats. These changes can last for a few seconds or longer, depending on the cause. Common signs linked with palpitations include:
- Increased heart rate
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Pounding or fluttering in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or trembling
Some people also experience rapid breathing, fatigue, or chest discomfort during these episodes. While the heart may still function normally, the sensations can feel unsettling and lead to worry about more serious conditions.
The symptom can appear in both calm and stressful moments. For many, anxiety triggers the body’s stress response, which raises heart rate and breathing speed. This can create the noticeable fluttering or racing feeling in the chest.
Palpitations from anxiety are usually brief and not harmful, but they may still be disruptive. Heart palpitations are a physical sensation rather than a disease. They signal changes in how the heartbeat feels, not always in how the heart works.
Possible Causes/Diseases Condition
Anxiety can cause heart palpitations, but other conditions can also trigger them. Some involve the heart directly, while others affect the body in ways that change heart rhythm. Common medical causes include:
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Atrial fibrillation (Afib), a type of heart rhythm disorder
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Vascular disease that affects blood flow
- Thyroid problems or hormonal changes
When the heart beats too fast or irregularly, people may feel chest pain, dizziness, or even fainting. These symptoms often overlap with anxiety, so it’s important to consider both mental and physical health.
Comparison of Possible Conditions
| Condition | Key Features | Possible Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Arrhythmia | Irregular heart rhythm | Palpitations, dizziness |
| Atrial fibrillation | Disorganized heart rhythm | Chest pain, fainting, fatigue |
| Heart failure | Weak pumping ability | Shortness of breath, swelling |
| Vascular disease | Narrowed or blocked vessels | Chest discomfort, poor circulation |
People may also experience palpitations from non-cardiac causes like caffeine, certain medications, or stress. If palpitations are frequent or paired with chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath, a medical evaluation is important. Anxiety can trigger palpitations, but people should not assume it is the only cause without ruling out other possible conditions.
Other Non-Disease Causes
Not all heart palpitations are linked to heart disease. Everyday habits and lifestyle choices can also play a role. These triggers often affect how the body responds to stress and stimulation. Common non-disease causes include:
- Caffeine from coffee, tea, or energy drinks
- Nicotine from smoking or vaping
- Alcohol consumption
- Chronic stress or panic attacks
- Lack of sleep or poor rest
Stress and panic attacks can make the heart beat faster. This happens because the body’s “fight or flight” system becomes more active. People with ongoing stress may notice palpitations more often.
| Trigger | Possible Effect on Heart |
|---|---|
| Caffeine | Faster heartbeat |
| Nicotine | Irregular rhythm |
| Alcohol | Increased palpitations |
| Chronic stress | Ongoing palpitations |
| Panic attacks | Sudden racing heart |
How It Causes the Symptom
Anxiety activates the body’s fight-or-flight response. The autonomic nervous system prepares the body to react to stress. When this happens, the heart may beat faster or harder, leading to the feeling of palpitations.
During this process, the body releases adrenaline. This hormone increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, and boosts blood flow. These changes can make the heartbeat feel irregular, pounding, or racing.
Common Physical Effects
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fluttering or skipped beats
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
Doctors may use tests to check if palpitations are linked to anxiety or another heart condition. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the heart’s electrical activity. A Holter monitor tracks the heartbeat over 24 to 48 hours.
A stress test measures heart activity during exercise. Blood tests may also check for thyroid or electrolyte problems. These tools help rule out conditions such as arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation. If results show no underlying heart disease, doctors may identify the palpitations as anxiety-induced heart palpitations.
Symptoms often appear suddenly, even without clear triggers. They may also come in waves, becoming strong at one moment and easing the next. This pattern reflects the body’s stress response more than a lasting heart problem.
Possible Complications
Anxiety-related heart palpitations are usually not dangerous, but they can still cause problems if they happen often. Frequent palpitations may increase stress, which can make anxiety symptoms worse over time. This cycle can affect daily activities and reduce quality of life.
Sometimes, palpitations may mask or overlap with symptoms of more serious heart issues. Conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) can feel similar but carry higher risks, including stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Because of this, ongoing or severe palpitations should be checked by a doctor. Complications may include:
- Increased anxiety from worrying about the heart
- Sleep problems due to racing heartbeat at night
- Reduced focus and productivity during the day
- Possible missed diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders
| Cause | Risk of Stroke | Other Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Low | Stress, fatigue, poor sleep |
| AFib | Higher | Stroke, blood clots, heart failure |
Even though anxiety itself does not directly cause stroke, the similarity of symptoms to AFib makes a medical evaluation important. This ensures that serious conditions are not overlooked. Untreated anxiety can also lead to long-term health effects, such as high blood pressure or an increased risk of cardiovascular strain.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Most anxiety-related palpitations are harmless, but certain symptoms mean you should see a doctor. If palpitations happen often, last a long time, or feel different than usual, do not ignore them. Seek immediate care if palpitations occur with:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Dizziness that does not improve
These signs may point to a heart condition rather than anxiety. In such cases, contact a doctor right away. If palpitations keep happening or come with other heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, a doctor may refer you to a heart specialist.
The specialist can do tests like an ECG or use a heart monitor to check for any problems. If changes like cutting back on caffeine or managing stress do not help, talk to a doctor. Long-term or unexplained palpitations should always be checked to make sure a heart issue is not missed. When unsure, it is safer to get checked than to assume anxiety is the only cause.
