what are causes of palpitations
Palpitation Causes. The heart needs its normal environment to work well. This is especially true for the heart's electrical system; changes in electrical conduction may lead to a decreased ability for the heart to pump blood. From within the body, abnormal levels of electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and calcium can cause palpitations.
Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, low blood sugar, anemia, and low blood pressure also may cause palpitations. Heart palpitations may be a sign or symptom of arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, or other heart conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, heart valve disease, or cardiomyopathy. Although palpitations are very common and usually harmless, they can be frightening when they happen and may cause anxiety.
Specific types of palpitations may be due to structural abnormalities in the heart. Narrowing of the coronary arteries that causes a decreased blood supply to the heart muscle can cause irritability and abnormal heart beats like premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation.