Is heart palpitations the same thing as beat flutters?

Heart palpitations and heart flutters are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different sensations or types of irregular heartbeats.

* Heart palpitations: A general term for any sensation of your heart racing, pounding, or skipping beats. Palpitations can be a sign of various heart rhythm problems, including arrhythmias, or they can be caused by other factors such as anxiety, caffeine, or nicotine.

* Heart flutters: A specific type of heart palpitation that feels like a fluttering or quivering in the chest. Heart flutters are often caused by a type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (AFib), where the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat too quickly and irregularly.

So, while heart palpitations and heart flutters are related and can sometimes be used interchangeably, they refer to slightly different sensations and can have different underlying causes. If you are experiencing frequent heart palpitations or flutters, it's important to talk to your doctor for an evaluation to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment if needed.