How are heart palpitations treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of the palpitations. Most palpitations are harmless and often go away on their own. In these cases, no treatment is needed.

Avoiding triggers

Your palpitations may be harmless but bothersome. If so, your physician may suggest avoiding things that trigger them.  These recommendations include the following:

• Reduce anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress, including panic attacks, are a common cause of harmless palpitations. Relaxation exercises, yoga or tai chi, biofeedback or guided imagery, or aromatherapy may help you relax.
• Avoid or limit stimulants, such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or amphetamines.
• Avoid illegal drugs, such as cocaine.
• Avoid medicines that act as stimulants, such as cough and cold medicines and some herbal and nutritional supplements.

Treating medical conditions that may cause palpitations

Your doctor will try to help you control medical conditions (such as an overactive thyroid) that can cause palpitations. If you're taking medicine that's causing the palpitations, your doctor will try to find a different medicine for you.

If your palpitations are due to an arrhythmia, your physician may choose to treat the palpitations with medications to decrease the frequency and severity of  the palpitations, or may refer you to a specialist such as a cardiologist who has more expertise in treating heart arrhythmias.

Notes: U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

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EditText of this page (last edited February 15, 2009)