Less commonly, heart palpitations result from a health condition or disorder, including:

Hypotension (low blood pressure), a common condition during pregnancy.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which happens more often in the first trimester.

Hormonal changes (such as shifts in the hormone estrogen) that happen during pregnancy.

People who carry extra weight before and during pregnancy have an increased risk of irregular heart rate and other heart disease. Electrolytes are minerals that control your heart’s rhythm.

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.Foods that are high in carbohydrates, sodium (salt), sugar or fat can cause a racing heart. Caffeine, especially in coffee and chocolate.Heart palpitations can happen if you’re under a lot of stress or feel anxious. Fluid in the blood increases more than the number of red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. This condition commonly affects pregnant women because of changes in the blood during pregnancy. Many factors can increase your risk of heart palpitations when you’re pregnant. Your heart rate speeds up to get the job done. It sends much of this blood to your growing fetus (unborn baby). This means your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body. Over the course of pregnancy, your blood volume increases by almost 50%. What causes pregnancy heart palpitations?ĭuring pregnancy, many changes happen that affect your entire body, including your heart and blood vessels. Some people who feel their heart pounding say they can hear it beating in their ears. Pounding: You might feel like your heart is beating forcefully or very hard.It can also seem like your heart stops for a second or two. Irregular heart rate: It might feel like your heart skips a beat, it’s beating out of rhythm, or speeding up and slowing down.Your heart may feel like it’s doing flips. Fluttering: Some people describe sensing a flapping or fluttery feeling in their chest.What are the symptoms of heart palpitations during pregnancy?

They may happen more often or worsen while you’re pregnant. If you had an arrhythmia or other type of heart disease before you got pregnant, you’re more likely to have symptoms during pregnancy. As babies get bigger, they need additional blood to stay healthy.

They are especially common as women move into their third trimester and their babies continue to grow. It’s very common to have heart palpitations during pregnancy. How common are heart palpitations during pregnancy? If you have palpitations along with chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness or confusion, get immediate medical help. Less commonly, heart palpitations can be a sign of a serious health problem, such as arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). This extra work can result in heart palpitations.Īlthough they can be alarming, most pregnancy heart palpitations aren’t dangerous. Your heart works harder to pump the extra blood throughout your body and to your baby. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases significantly. Heart palpitations in pregnancy are very common. Some people feel like they have an extra heartbeat. Your heart rate might speed up, slow down or skip a beat. Heart palpitations cause your heart to feel like it’s pounding, racing or beating too quickly.

What are heart palpitations in pregnancy?

Heart monitor for pregnancy