What is a common cause of heart palpitations in a college student?

From the Guidelines

Heart palpitations in college students are most commonly caused by benign factors such as caffeine consumption, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, dehydration, and stimulant medications. These factors can significantly increase heart rate and trigger palpitations, and are often exacerbated by the academic and social pressures of college life. Caffeine from coffee, energy drinks, and pre-workout supplements is a particularly common culprit, as it can directly stimulate the heart and increase heart rate 1. Academic pressure and social stressors can also lead to anxiety, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases adrenaline, causing the heart to beat faster or irregularly. Poor sleep habits, common in college life, can disrupt normal cardiac rhythms, while dehydration, especially when combined with alcohol consumption, can cause electrolyte imbalances that affect heart rhythm. Some students may use stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin for ADHD or as study aids, which can also directly increase heart rate.

Some key points to consider when evaluating heart palpitations in college students include:

• Reducing caffeine intake to minimize its stimulatory effects on the heart
• Practicing stress management techniques like deep breathing or meditation to reduce anxiety and sympathetic nervous system activation
• Maintaining regular sleep schedules to support normal cardiac rhythms
• Staying hydrated to prevent electrolyte imbalances
• Using prescribed medications only as directed to minimize potential cardiac side effects
• Seeking medical attention if palpitations are accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting, as these could indicate a more serious condition 1.

It is also important to note that while most palpitations are benign, certain underlying cardiac conditions, such as premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), can increase the risk of more serious arrhythmias, and should be evaluated and monitored by a healthcare professional 1.

From the Research

Common Causes of Heart Palpitations

• Cardiac disorders are a common cause of heart palpitations, and are considered the most concerning etiology 2, 3, 4
• Other common triggers include:
  • Endocrine and metabolic disorders 3
  • Medication or illicit drug use 3, 4
  • Psychosomatic disorders 3, 4
• A detailed history, physical examination, and directed laboratory studies can help identify the underlying cause of palpitations 3, 4

Diagnosis and Management

• A 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) is often used to diagnose palpitations, and additional testing such as echocardiography or cardiac stress testing may be indicated 2, 3, 4
• Management of palpitations is based on the suspected etiology, and may include reassurance, education, trigger avoidance, or use of atrioventricular nodal blockers 3
• In some cases, cardiac ablation may be necessary to treat tachyarrhythmias 3

Considerations for College Students

• College students who experience palpitations should seek medical attention to rule out any underlying cardiac conditions 2, 3, 4
• A thorough history and physical examination, followed by targeted diagnostic testing, can help distinguish cardiac from noncardiac causes of palpitations 4