Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Harmless or Not? Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute Expert Weighs in on Whether Heart Flutters can be Dangerous


News provided by

Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Apr 27, 2023, 15:45 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Heart flutters, or palpitations, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of a more significant medical problem.
Heart flutters, or palpitations, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of a more significant medical problem.

Though an irregular heartbeat may be concerning, heart flutters aren't always a sign of something serious. Here's how to tell the difference between a harmless flutter and a dangerous change to your heartbeat.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ever had a pounding heart or felt your heart beat faster than usual? Maybe you've experienced the flip-flop feeling of your heart skipping a beat. Heart flutters, or palpitations, happen to many people every day.

Though an irregular heartbeat may be concerning, heart flutters aren't always a sign of something serious. So how can you tell the difference between a harmless flutter and a dangerous change to your heartbeat?

"The most important thing is to pay attention to what else is happening in your body when you notice your heart beating differently. Get medical care right away if your heartbeat is irregular and you also have chest pain, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath."- Demetrio Castillo, MD

Post this

The most important thing is to pay attention to what else is happening in your body when you notice your heart beating differently, says Demetrio Castillo, MD, an electrophysiologist (EP) at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. Get medical care right away if your heartbeat is irregular and you also have:

  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath

Even if you're not experiencing other symptoms with heart flutters, you may want to check in with your doctor if they keep happening. Here's what you need to know:

YOUR HEARTBEAT KEEPS YOUR BLOOD PUMPING
Your heart is a muscle made up of four chambers. There are two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Special tissue in your right atria, the sinoatrial (SA) node, continuously sends electrical signals that tell your heart to contract.

These signals move through your heart in a constant cycle. Rhythmic contractions of the chambers draw blood into your heart to replenish blood oxygen. They also send oxygenated blood back out to your body.

THERE ARE MANY CAUSES OF HEART PALPITATIONS
Sometimes your heart's electrical signals misfire, causing your heartbeat to change. You may feel a fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or a slow heartbeat (bradycardia).

Many things can affect your heart's electrical signals. If you smoke or vape, nicotine can make your heart pound. Caffeine may make ventricles contract too soon, leaving you feeling like your heart skipped a beat.

Heart palpitations can also result from:

  • Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs like cocaine
  • Feeling stressed or anxious
  • Getting older
  • Having a panic attack
  • Hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle or when you're pregnant
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Taking certain medicines like cold medications (decongestants)

You may also notice changes in your heart rate if you have other medical conditions. For example, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can cause a fast heartbeat. If you have anemia, your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells, and your heart may work harder to move oxygenated blood more quickly.

FREQUENT HEART FLUTTERS NEED EVALUATION
If you have frequent heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats that last more than a few seconds, you may have an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can occur if you were born with a heart condition (congenital heart disease). They can also happen if you have:

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart failure
  • History of heart attacks

MONITORING HEART RHYTHMS CAN HELP
Make an appointment to see your doctor if heart flutters are frequent or long-lasting. They'll examine you and listen to your heartbeat. Tell your doctor about when palpitations usually happen and if you have any other symptoms. Your doctor may recommend a painless test called an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure your heart's electrical signals.

They may have you wear a portable device called a Holter monitor. The device records your heart rhythm for a few days as you go about your regular activities. Your doctor may also ask you to share data if you have a wearable device like a watch that records your heartbeat.

ADDITIONAL TESTING CAN HELP DIAGNOSE ARRHYTHMIA
If your doctor detects signs of arrhythmia, you may need more tests, such as:

  • Cardiac imaging
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

If you have an arrhythmia, talk with your doctor about whether you need treatment. You may benefit from cardiac ablation or an implantable device like a pacemaker or defibrillator.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN HELP EASE SOME HEART PALPITATIONS
Not all heart flutters need treatment. Making some changes to your daily routine may help reduce the heart palpitations you feel. You should:

  • Avoid consuming things that increase your heart rate, like caffeine and energy drinks.
  • Manage your stress level and talk about your anxieties with someone you trust.
  • Meditate to help manage anxious or racing thoughts.
  • Not smoke or vape.
  • Use slow, deep breathing (belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing) to help relax your body and mind.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF HEART FLUTTERS CHANGE
Call your doctor if palpitations happen more often or if they're lasting longer. Let your doctor know if you feel fatigued or notice changes in your stamina.

"If you were able to shop for groceries and now you can't walk down the supermarket aisle without getting winded, you should be evaluated," says Dr. Castillo.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HEART AND VASCULAR SERVICES
Learn more about heart and vascular services at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, electrophysiologist or vascular specialist at Memorial, call 855-400-6284.

Media Contact

Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, Memorial Healthcare System, 954-265-1136, [email protected]

SOURCE Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Modal title

Dr. Demetrio Castillo is an electrophysiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute
Dr. Demetrio Castillo is an electrophysiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute
Dr. Demetrio Castillo is an electrophysiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.