Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPalpitations and DehydrationSymptomsTreatmentOther CausesDiagnosis

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Palpitations and Dehydration

Symptoms

Treatment

Other Causes

Diagnosis

Heart palpitations are an unpleasant awareness of the heart beating, often described as a “racing” or “flopping” feeling in the chest.While common and not usually dangerous, heart palpitations have numerous different causes, one of them being dehydration.

Dehydration is when a person loses more water than they take in. They also loseelectrolytes, which are minerals that play a vital role in muscle contractions and preserving a proper fluid balance within the body.

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A person drinking from a sports water bottle at home after workout

Water is the most integral componentof the human body, comprising an estimated 55% to 60% of adult body weight.

When the body loses too much water, the volume of blood traveling throughout the body decreases, and blood pressure lowers.

When blood pressure lowers, a person’s heart beats faster to ensure oxygen-rich blood reaches vital organs like the brain and kidneys.This increase in heart rate can be perceived as heart palpitations.

Electrolyteimbalances from dehydration can also trigger heart palpitations. Electrolytes in the bloodstream, likesodiumandpotassium, are charged minerals that serve many functions, including regulating muscle contractions (tightening and release of a muscle) and maintaining a delicate water balance.

If a person is dehydrated, electrolytes move in and out of cells to maintain normal fluid levels within the body. This movement can disrupt the balance of electrolytes and cause heart palpitations.

ReviewDehydrationcan causeheart palpitationsdue to the following:A decline in blood volume that makes the heart beat fasterAn imbalance of electrolytes as they try to preserve normal fluid levels

Review

Dehydrationcan causeheart palpitationsdue to the following:A decline in blood volume that makes the heart beat fasterAn imbalance of electrolytes as they try to preserve normal fluid levels

Dehydrationcan causeheart palpitationsdue to the following:

What’s Happening With Heart Palpitations?

Terms often used to describe them include:

While common and usually harmless, heart palpitations can sometimes signal an underlying disease that requires treatment or a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

Why Do I Get Heart Palpitations at Night?

How to Slow Heart Palpitations and Rehydrate

A healthcare provider needs to confirm that heart palpitations are stemming from dehydration.

Most of these solutions come in individual powder-filled packets that can be dissolved in 1 liter (L) of water (about a quart). Unlike sports drinks (Gatorade), these solutions contain the correct amount and balance of electrolytes and water necessary to rehydrate the body.

Severe cases of dehydration requireintravenous (IV, meaning through the vein) fluidsand monitoring in an urgent care, emergency room, or hospital setting.

Individuals who are vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, such as babies, young children, and older adults. or those with underlying kidney disease also require care at a medical facility.

In addition to cases of severe dehydration, oral rehydration solutions are contraindicated in people who:

After rehydration, drinking fluids that contain no sodium or less sodium, such as water, and eating can begin.

Seek Emergency CareDehydration can be severe and, in extreme cases, potentially fatal. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you (or a loved one) are:Experiencing confusionFeeling light-headed or have faintedHave a rapid breathing or heart rateNot urinating

Seek Emergency Care

Dehydration can be severe and, in extreme cases, potentially fatal. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you (or a loved one) are:Experiencing confusionFeeling light-headed or have faintedHave a rapid breathing or heart rateNot urinating

Dehydration can be severe and, in extreme cases, potentially fatal. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you (or a loved one) are:

Besides dehydration, there are numerous other potential causes of heart palpitations.

Arrhythmias are common causes of palpitations.

What Happens During a Normal Heartbeat?During a normal heartbeat, an electrical impulse is generated within the sinoatrial (SA) node at the top of the heart, spreading down to theatrioventricular(AV) nodewithin the heart’s center.The AV node then transmits the impulse to the ventricles (lower part of the heart), triggering them to contract and pump blood.

What Happens During a Normal Heartbeat?

During a normal heartbeat, an electrical impulse is generated within the sinoatrial (SA) node at the top of the heart, spreading down to theatrioventricular(AV) nodewithin the heart’s center.The AV node then transmits the impulse to the ventricles (lower part of the heart), triggering them to contract and pump blood.

During a normal heartbeat, an electrical impulse is generated within the sinoatrial (SA) node at the top of the heart, spreading down to theatrioventricular(AV) nodewithin the heart’s center.

The AV node then transmits the impulse to the ventricles (lower part of the heart), triggering them to contract and pump blood.

Disturbances along any of the above heart’s electrical pathways can create an arrhythmia, which are classified as the following:

The above arrhythmias may be due to underlying structural heart conditions like damage from a priorheart attackorcardiomyopathy(enlarged or thickened heart muscle).

They can also manifest from underlying problems with the heart’s electrical system, such aslong QT syndromeorWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Other possible heart-related causes of palpitations include:

Heart palpitations can also develop from several non-heart-related causes, such as:

Seeing a Provider to Be Sure

Healthcare providers consider a person’s symptoms and findings from a physical exam and various diagnostic tests to diagnose the cause of palpitations.

Medical History

During a person’s appointment, a provider will inquire about the intensity and duration of the palpitations and whether other symptoms are present, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, or fainting.

They will also ask about a family history of heart problems, medications, caffeine/alcohol/recreational drug use, and the presence of other health conditions like anxiety disorders or anemia.

If dehydration is the cause of palpitations, additional symptoms like the following may be present:

A history of the following also supports a possible diagnosis of dehydration:

Physical Exam

During the physical exam,vital signs(temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate) will be taken, and the provider will listen to the heart with a stethoscope.

Signs on physical exam of dehydration can include:

Dehydration in Babies and Kids

Symptoms and signs of dehydration in babies and kids include:

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests can help pinpoint the cause of palpitations.

Anelectrocardiogram(ECG or EKG) measures the heart’s electrical activity and is a crucial first test for evaluating palpitations. It can help detect arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and provide clues about heart disease.

If the ECG is normal, but an arrhythmia is still suspected, a type ofambulatory ECG monitoringcalled aHolter monitor studyis performed.

What Is a Holter Monitor?A Holter monitor is a device worn on the body for 24 to 48 hours. It records the heart’s electrical activity as the wearer goes about their day.

What Is a Holter Monitor?

A Holter monitor is a device worn on the body for 24 to 48 hours. It records the heart’s electrical activity as the wearer goes about their day.

Other tests that might be ordered when evaluating palpitations include:

Blood Test ResultsElectrolyte abnormalities and an elevatedblood urea nitrogen(BUN) andcreatinineratio on a BMP support a possible diagnosis of dehydration.

Blood Test Results

Electrolyte abnormalities and an elevatedblood urea nitrogen(BUN) andcreatinineratio on a BMP support a possible diagnosis of dehydration.

Summary

Heart palpitations are an awareness of one’s heartbeat, often described as “racing” or “flopping.” Many possible causes of heart palpitations exist, ranging from abnormal heart rhythms to non-heart-related conditions or scenarios like anemia, caffeine use, anxiety, and dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when you lose more water than you take in. In addition to water loss, there is an imbalance of electrolytes, which are minerals that help the body maintain a tight fluid balance.

When a person is dehydrated, the reduced blood volume makes the heart beat faster, which can cause palpitations. An imbalance in electrolytes from fluid shifts also contributes to the manifestation of heart palpitations.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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