Heart palpitations: 4 critical signs requiring immediate emergency care

WISE NEWS PRESS / ISTANBUL, TURKEY — DEC. 12, 2025

Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan, a Cardiology and Internal Medicine Specialist at Anadolu Health Ataşehir Medical Center, has issued a critical warning regarding heart palpitations. While often benign, when palpitations are accompanied by specific symptoms, they can signal a life-threatening cardiac event.

Most people experience a change in their heartbeat at some point—a sudden fluttering, a skipped beat, or a racing pulse. While these sensations are frequently triggered by innocent factors like stress, caffeine, or physical exertion, Dr. Koylan emphasizes that they can also be the first sign of a serious rhythm disorder.

Common triggers vs. medical emergencies

According to Dr. Koylan, the heart's rhythm is highly sensitive to daily life factors. "Intense stress, anxiety, panic, and strong emotions can accelerate the heart rate. Similarly, stimulants like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and cigarettes significantly affect rhythm," he explained.

Dehydration, hormonal changes, insomnia, and the side effects of certain medications can also cause the heart to beat faster or irregularly. However, while these triggers are common, the situation changes drastically when "companion symptoms" appear.

The 4 red flags: When to call for help

Prof. Dr. Koylan outlined four critical symptoms that, when occurring alongside palpitations, necessitate immediate emergency medical intervention:

1. Radiating Chest Pain If palpitations are accompanied by a squeezing, pressure-like pain in the center or left side of the chest, this is a classic warning sign of a heart attack. This pain is not always localized; it can radiate to the arm, neck, jaw, or back.

2. Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea) Feeling air hunger or a sudden inability to catch your breath indicates that the heart is failing to pump enough blood to the body. Shortness of breath that occurs while resting, combined with a racing heart, is a severe indicator of cardiac distress.

3. Severe Dizziness Serious rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) can momentarily reduce blood flow to the brain. This can lead to more than just a fleeting moment of lightheadedness; it can cause severe dizziness, confusion, or a feeling of "greying out," signaling that cerebral perfusion is compromised.

4. Fainting (Syncope) Loss of consciousness during or immediately following heart palpitations is the most urgent warning sign. Fainting suggests a critical drop in blood flow to the brain and may indicate a potentially fatal rhythm disorder that requires instant stabilization.

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