Heart palpitations can feel alarming, especially when they strike suddenly. Many people across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire visit clinics in Chino, Inglewood, Sherman Oaks, Lynwood, San Dimas, and Pomona wondering whether their racing heart is caused by anxiety or a heart condition. Epic Cardiology frequently sees patients with these concerns, as the symptoms of anxiety and cardiac rhythm issues can overlap. Understanding the differences can help patients feel more confident about when to seek medical evaluation and when symptoms may be stress-related.

Understanding Heart Palpitations

Palpitations are sensations that feel like pounding, fluttering, skipping, or racing heartbeats. They may occur during activity or even while resting quietly. Some people describe the feeling as their heart “flip-flopping” or beating out of sync. While occasional palpitations are common and often harmless, persistent or severe episodes may signal an underlying arrhythmia or structural heart issue.

Medical evaluation may include an electrocardiogram to measure the heart’s electrical activity or a Holter monitor to track rhythms over 24 to 48 hours. In some cases, a loop recorder is recommended for longer-term monitoring when symptoms are infrequent but concerning. If structural heart concerns are suspected, imaging tests such as an echocardiogram or transesophageal echocardiogram can provide detailed pictures of the heart’s function and valves. These tools help clarify whether symptoms are cardiac in origin.

How Anxiety Can Mimic Cardiac Symptoms

Anxiety activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. This response naturally increases heart rate and blood pressure. During a panic attack, individuals may feel chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. These sensations can be intense and may closely resemble symptoms of a heart problem.

Unlike certain arrhythmias, anxiety-related palpitations often occur during periods of emotional stress, worry, or specific triggers. They may also be accompanied by feelings of impending doom, restlessness, or hyperventilation. However, it is important not to dismiss symptoms solely as anxiety without proper evaluation, particularly in individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, or family history of heart disease.

Key Differences to Pay Attention To

Distinguishing anxiety from a heart rhythm issue is not always straightforward, but certain patterns may provide clues:

• Palpitations that start and stop abruptly without emotional triggers may suggest an arrhythmia.
• Symptoms brought on by physical exertion could indicate an underlying cardiac concern, sometimes evaluated with an exercise treadmill test or nuclear stress test.
• Palpitations accompanied by fainting, severe chest pain, or prolonged shortness of breath require immediate medical attention.
• Anxiety-related episodes often improve with relaxation techniques, slow breathing, or removal from stressful situations.

When coronary artery disease is suspected, a coronary angiogram may be used to assess blood flow in the heart’s arteries. In rare cases of serious rhythm disorders, treatments such as pacemaker implantation may be necessary. Identifying the root cause ensures that treatment is tailored appropriately, whether that involves cardiac care, stress management, or both.

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

Residents throughout Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, including those visiting clinics in Chino, Inglewood, Sherman Oaks, Lynwood, San Dimas, and Pomona, should seek medical evaluation if palpitations are new, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. Even if anxiety is suspected, ruling out heart conditions provides reassurance and clarity. Diagnostic testing is often noninvasive and can provide valuable information about heart rhythm and function.

Epic Cardiology encourages patients to view palpitations as a signal to listen closely to their bodies rather than panic. Whether symptoms stem from stress or a cardiac issue, early evaluation can reduce uncertainty and guide appropriate next steps. Understanding the differences between anxiety and heart-related palpitations empowers patients across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire to make informed decisions about their cardiovascular health.

Resources

American Heart Association. (2023). Heart Palpitations: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023). Heart Palpitations: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic.