A to Z: Palpitationsenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-khAZDictionary-enHD-AR1.jpgLearn about arrhythmias and conditions that affect the heart and heartbeat.Palpitations, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, heart, heartbeat, arrhythmia, abnormal heart rhythm, heart disease, infections, fever, caffeine, nicotine, CD1Cardiology06/12/201303/18/201909/02/2019d630ff54-93c4-4dcf-82d1-34ad1992c21fhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-palpitations.html/<p><em>May also be called: Irregular Heartbeat</em></p>
<p>Palpitations (pal-pih-TAY-shuns), or <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/heart.html/">heart</a> palpitations, are rapid or irregular heartbeats that make you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering.</p>
<h3>More to Know</h3>
<p>Lots of things can cause the heart to beat quickly, including exercise, stress, <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/fever.html/">fever</a>, caffeine, nicotine, illegal drugs, thyroid disorders, and certain medications. This can trigger palpitations, which are fluttering heartbeats — the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat or is beating irregularly. In most cases, these types of palpitations are harmless.</p>
<p>Sometimes, palpitations are due to an abnormal heart rhythm (<a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/arrhythmias.html/">arrhythmia</a>) and may be a sign of a serious medical condition. Arrhythmias can be caused by heart disease, genetic factors, chemical imbalances in the blood, infections, medications, and injuries to the heart.</p>
<p>Frequent palpitations or palpitations along with fainting, chest pain, sweating, or shortness of breath might indicate an arrhythmia that should be diagnosed by a doctor.</p>
<h3>Keep in Mind</h3>
<p>Most palpitations won't require any treatment. If an arrhythmia is causing the palpitations, treating its cause usually will stop the palpitations. Palpitations occurring repeatedly or with other associated symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.</p>
<p><em>All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.</em></p>A to Z: Atrial FlutterAtrial flutter is an abnormal heart rhythm that causes the heart to beat too fast.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-atrial-flutter.html/4a4962a1-204e-4173-a4e7-af55bbeda667A to Z: DysrhythmiaLearn more about dysrhythmia: an abnormality in the heart's beat or rhythm caused by electrical impulses functioning improperly.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-dysrhythmia.html/0e4ae185-d921-4fd8-b04c-796d04149f04A to Z: TachycardiaLearn more about types of arrhythmias and problems of the heart.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-tachycardia.html/0af116e7-b6aa-44eb-9198-e1fcc89bd99dArrhythmia (Abnormal Heartbeat)An arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat usually caused by an electrical "short circuit" in the heart. Many are minor and not a health threat, but some can indicate a more serious problem.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/arrhythmias.html/19038a47-2ae4-48f8-8bd5-9e46150171b0ArrhythmiasArrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats usually caused by an electrical "short circuit" in the heart. Many are minor and not a significant health threat, but others can indicate a more serious problem.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/arrhythmias.html/79184e00-417e-4ce4-a49b-2e89de1b1bd4Heart and Circulatory SystemThe heart and circulatory system are our body's lifeline, delivering blood to the body's tissues. Brush up on your ticker with this body basics article.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/heart.html/52398b6a-54a6-4272-a569-42ed5b12aeacThe HeartYour heart beats and sends oxygen throughout your entire body. Find out how it works and how heart problems can be fixed.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/center/heart-center.html/d4cb468c-ba42-454a-94bf-4173f8e15a69Your Heart & Circulatory SystemYour heart is a hard-working muscle. Find out more in this article for kids.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/heart.html/9730472f-2ef1-413a-92bf-041c533b9564kh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-cardiologykh:clinicalDesignation-generalPediatricskh:genre-dictionarykh:primaryClinicalDesignation-cardiologyPhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dictionary/p/e492181e-6c97-4cd3-8738-cebc1f62bc38Cardiology A to Zhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dictionary/az-cardio/04be85fa-f4f5-44c2-a321-21821f326c6a