Sign 5: Rapid, Fluttering, or Pounding Heartbeats
Feeling your heart pound in your chest can be an unnerving experience. Known as palpitations, these sensations of a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat can sometimes be a sign of cardiomyopathy. It might feel as if your heart is skipping beats, beating too quickly, or throbbing.
Heart palpitations in cardiomyopathy are the result of disruptions in your heart’s electrical system, which controls the rate and rhythm of your heartbeats. As the heart muscle becomes diseased, it can interfere with the electrical signals, causing irregular heartbeats.
While occasional palpitations can be normal, especially during times of intense emotion or physical activity, persistent or frequent palpitations could be a sign that something is wrong. It’s especially crucial to get checked if these palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort.
However, try not to panic if you experience heart palpitations. While they can be a sign of cardiomyopathy, they can also be caused by more benign conditions such as anxiety or the consumption of caffeine or alcohol. Regardless, any heart irregularities should be discussed with a healthcare provider. (5)
