What is a pounding heart?
A pounding heart pulse is a sensation in the chest that makes you feel as if your heart is racing too fast and pounding against your chest. In this condition, there is generally an unpleasant awareness of one’s heartbeats; experiencing skipped beats or stopping of heartbeat is common in some cases, though it happens only for a very short duration. Apart from this, the rhythm with which the heart beats also changes or it remains the same, depending upon the individual. Sometimes referred to as palpitations, pounding heartbeats are generally felt in the neck, throat and chest. In rare cases, shortness of breath accompanies a pounding heartbeat.

Irregular heartbeat

Why does it happen?
In a normal person, the heart beats approximately 72 times per minute. This is a considered healthy. Those who exercise regularly or take some sort of medications that affects the rate at which the heart beats may have a heart rate of 60 to 65 beats per minute. It might also be that heartbeats become so fast that they reach 100 beats per minute. A pounding heart pulse is when the heart rate increases drastically; while this is not entirely serious, what is important is whether or not the rhythm of the heartbeat is abnormal. Many people experience palpitations after eating. However, a sudden pounding of the heart against the chest right after eating is not a serious issue, so avoid panicking. Instead keep yourself calm and composed, and if possible, take some rest immediately.

What can you do?
There are some simple measures that you can take to reduce the incidence of palpitations. However, the first step must always be to consult a doctor and get proper diagnosis/medical treatment. Additional remedies that can help alleviate the problem are as mentioned below.

If you drink too much coffee, you should reduce the amount of caffeine that goes into your system. Drinking alcohol a lot is also a cause of pounding of the heart, so in order to prevent the palpitations after drinking, reduce the intake of alcoholic drinks.

Take occasional breaks from work and engage in de-stressing activities like long walks and meditation. Another alternative is a deep relaxation method that involves a step-by-step technique that first tenses and then relaxes each and every muscle of your body. Tai chi or yoga also helps in overcoming chest pains and breathlessness arising from palpitations.

Keep a track of your palpitations if you experience them more often. Note the duration for which it occurs and the number of times it occurs during the day or the week. You should also note the heartbeat during the time you were experiencing the palpitations. All this data will help your doctor analyze the situation and treat you in a better way. It will help him/her assess the seriousness of the condition and also the cause of the palpitations. For those who experience heart palpitations for the first time, it should definitely be brought in the notice of the doctor of the heath care professional.