Why Does Your Heart Suddenly Flutter Or Skip A Beat?

 

A fluttering or skipped heartbeat can feel frightening, especially when it appears without warning. Many people describe palpitations as a racing, pounding, trembling, or thumping sensation in the chest.

Often, the cause is temporary. Stress, caffeine, dehydration, alcohol, nicotine, poor sleep, anxiety, and hormonal changes can all make the heartbeat feel stronger or more noticeable.

Sometimes, though, palpitations may reflect a change in the heart’s rhythm. That is why it helps to pay attention to the pattern rather than trying to guess the cause.

Why The Thump Happens

A skipped beat can feel like a pause followed by a heavy thump. This may happen because the heart briefly has longer to fill with blood, making the next beat feel more forceful.

What To Track

  • Was the rhythm steady, fast, slow, or irregular?

  • How long did it last?

  • What were you doing beforehand?

  • Did you feel faint, breathless, dizzy, or have chest pain?

A brief flutter after coffee may not be serious. But new, frequent, or worsening palpitations should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Call 999 if symptoms are sudden, severe, or linked with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or feeling seriously unwell.

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