Heart palpitations come with the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat. This sensation may also be felt in the neck, throat or chest. There is a possibility of your heart rhythm changing with these palpitations. Most heart palpitations are harmless and go away on their own without treatment. In sporadic instances, heart palpitations may be as a result of a severe condition.

If you suspect that you might have heart palpitations, you should consult with Dr Naicker so he may make an evaluation and suggest treatment accordingly. Heart palpitations will feel as though your heart is:

• Skipping beats  
• Fluttering too fast
• Beating too quickly
• Pounding
• Flip-flopping

Heart palpitations felt in the throat, chest or neck might occur when you are active or resting. 

To make a diagnosis, Dr Naicker might conduct tests which include electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring, event recording and echocardiogram. Generally, for heart palpitations, Dr Naicker will listen to your heart using a stethoscope. The tests mentioned above will be done according to the discretion of the doctor. Dr Naicker might also conduct a physical exam to identify the cause. In this instance, be prepared to answer questions about your physical activities, stress levels, prescription medication use, over-the-counter medication and supplement use as well as health conditions.

When treating heart palpitations, Dr Naicker will assess the cause of your heart palpitations to see if there is an underlying medical condition. Should Dr Naicker deem you unnecessary for treatment, then he might advise you to take preventative measures to decrease your chances of having heart palpitations. These measures include relaxation exercises (deep breathing, yoga, tai chi), reduce caffeine intake, quit smoking, get regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet and try to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.