Symptom
Racing heart
Heart palpitations: your heart feels like it is pounding, fluttering or skipping beats.
- Listed by the NHS as
- A common symptom of menopause and perimenopause1
- Usually
- Harmless, but some causes need checking2
What it can feel like
- A pounding or fluttering in your chest or neck
- A beat that seems skipped
- A racing heart during a hot flush
What guidance says can help
Common triggers
Caffeine, alcohol, smoking and stress can bring palpitations on.2
Getting checked
A doctor may suggest a heart tracing (ECG) to look at your rhythm.2
When to see someone
- Urgent:Palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting. Call emergency services.
- Palpitations that last a long time, keep coming back or are getting worse.
For symptoms that can’t wait, see Get help now.
Questions to ask
- Should I have an ECG?
- Could these palpitations be related to the menopause?
- What should make me seek help straight away?
Often comes with
Sources
General information, not medical advice. It can’t tell you what is causing your symptoms.