Contributing Factors of a Racing Heart

Some of the factors that can contribute to a racing, fluttering heart that sends out uncomfortable signals through your chest and into your head include: dehydration; hormonal changes including pregnancy; overactive thyroid; low levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide; caffeine; nicotine; stress; shock; fever; blood loss; low blood sugar; anemia; strenuous exercise; and anxiety, fear or panic. Medications like over-the-counter cold and cough meds, nutritional and herbal supplements, prescriptions such as asthma inhalers, decongestants and beta blockers may be to blame as well. Illegal drugs like amphetamines and cocaine will drive up your heart rate as well.

One great way to stop heart palpitations is never to get them in the first place. But for most people, these little heart bumps are an inconvenience and nothing serious. We all experience a pounding heart while we wait to hear about the birth of a baby or while exchanging marriage vows. That’s normal. But there are probably other times when you don't want to deal with that fluttering, racing feeling in your heart, so here are some things that may help you in those uneasy times.

1. Try the Valsalva maneuver. The vagus nerve, which is the 10th pair of nerves in the spinal column, stretches from the brainstem to the abdomen and is involved with the actions of organs such as the heart, lungs and esophagus. Ideally, it keeps the heart rate constant and controls food digestion. The thought is that by stimulating the vagus nerve, it will “reset” the nerve impulses of the heart back to normal.

To stimulate this nerve, hold your nose closed, then close your mouth and keep it closed. Now try to blow hard without letting any air out. Another way to stimulate the nerve is to make a fist and blow into it like you are blowing up a balloon. If done correctly, relief should be immediate.

Another similar exercise is to bear down, which means to clench your stomach muscles as if you are going to the bathroom. The principle is the same in all cases -- putting pressure on the vagus nerve to kick it back to normal rates.