Heart palpitations: Causes, what you should observe

When your heart suddenly pounds in your chest, it often causes immediate concern. Whether it's a racing heart at night, after eating, or suddenly while resting: Here you'll learn what the underlying causes might be, how to correctly interpret warning signs, and how to use brite to check if your medication is affecting your heartbeat.

Better understanding heart palpitations

In short & important: What you
can do right now

If your heart is racing or fluttering, these steps will help calm your system:

Vagus stimulus

Drink a glass of very cold water in quick gulps or wash your face with ice-cold water.

Sit down

Stop all physical activity immediately and sit up straight.

Calm breathing

Take a deep breath in for 4 seconds and exhale very slowly for 6-8 seconds. This signals relaxation to your nervous system.

Eliminate stimuli

Turn off the television, put away your mobile phone and darken the room if necessary.

Check

Have you consumed a lot of caffeine today, been under stress, or taken a new medication?
Important: If rapid heartbeat occurs together with chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats or fear of death : Call emergency services (112) immediately.

Understanding heart palpitations – What's happening in the body?

A racing heart (tachycardia) means your heart is beating faster than the current situation requires. At rest, a normal pulse is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Many people experience a racing heart as a "throbbing" in the throat or a "fluttering" in the chest. Often it's a harmless reaction to adrenaline, but it can also be a sign of circulatory instability or interactions with your medications.

Common causes
of rapid heartbeat

Why is your heart racing? These are the most common triggers in everyday life:

Stress, anxiety & panic attacks

This is the most common cause. Your body releases stress hormones that accelerate your heartbeat – often you only notice the psychological strain when your heart is already racing.

Caffeine, energy drinks & nicotine

Stimulants act directly on the sinoatrial node (the heart's natural pacemaker). Especially when taken on an empty stomach, these substances can trigger a rapid heartbeat.

Heart palpitations after eating

After large meals, bloating can push the diaphragm upwards, mechanically affecting the heartbeat. Alcohol in the evening is also a classic trigger for nighttime heart palpitations.

Fluid deficiency & electrolytes

When your blood volume decreases due to insufficient fluid intake, your heart has to pump faster to maintain stable blood pressure. This is often accompanied by dizziness.

Medications as "heart accelerators"

An often underestimated factor: Many medications for asthma, colds, or high blood pressure can increase the heart rate as a side effect. Combining several medications is particularly risky.

Is it due to your medication? Get to the bottom of it now.

Especially if you experience a new onset of heart palpitations, it's crucial to review your medication. brite helps you understand the connection between your medication and your pulse:

Digital medication plan : Record all medications centrally and identify whether the rapid heartbeat coincides with a new prescription or intake.
Drug interaction check : Check immediately whether your medications interact with each other and thus accelerate your heartbeat.
Dosage reminder : Avoid fluctuations in the active ingredient that can send your pulse on a "rollercoaster ride".

Warning signs – When you need to act immediately

Please take heart palpitations seriously and seek medical help if:

The rapid heartbeat is accompanied by severe chest pain or tightness.
you are also suffering from severe shortness of breath.
you become extremely dizzy or are on the verge of fainting.
The pulse does not drop below 100 beats even after 10-15 minutes of rest.

Preparing for your
doctor's appointment - Your checklist

A "pulse diary" will be extremely helpful to your doctor. Prepare this information:

Situation

Does it happen during sports, after coffee, or at night in bed?

Rhythm

Is the heartbeat regular and fast, or does it stumble ("extrasystoles")?

Length of time

Does it last only seconds or does it last for hours?

Medications

Bring your complete list from the Brite app – nasal sprays and vitamins are important too!

How Brite helps you keep track of everything

brite brings structure to your observation and helps you find the cause of your pain:

Centralized medication plan for maximum safety at the doctor's office.
Examination of drug interactions in cardiovascular disorders.
Stable routines through the intake reminder.
Start now for free and gain more clarity
Frequently asked questions about heart palpitations
Is heart palpitations dangerous?
Why does my heart race after eating?
Can thyroid medication cause a rapid heartbeat?
Does magnesium help with a racing heart?
What to do if your heart races at night?
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