What's the difference?

[Isaack]

I've had palpitations which were hard and fast but im,not sure i had flatters. What are heart flatters ? How,does it feel? I'm not sure I know the difference.

[Rgnonti]

I've been getting palpitations for two weeks.started a few hours after my dad passed away. I feel the thud in my throat. I've been checked and currently waiting for other tests but so far it's benign due to stress and anxiety. My dr told me when you have anxiety, you will get palpitations which aren't harmful. Just need to work on your anxiety.

[Isaack in reply to Rgnonti]

Do you also get flatters ? And I'm so sorry about your dad. Was he of age ?

[Rgnonti in reply to Isaack]

Flutters? I only get a hard thud type beat every once in awhile. No flutters. My dad was 84, with dementia and health issues.

[Isaack in reply to Rgnonti]

I'm sorry for your loss. Hopefully you get better with time. Where are you from?

[Rgnonti in reply to Isaack]

Minnesota

[Agora1]

Hi Isaack, heart flutters feel like a butterfly's wings flapping fast in your chest. An overstimulation of your nervous system as well as adrenaline.

[Isaack in reply to Agora1]

Are they terrifying compared to regular palpitations ?

[Agora1 in reply to Isaack]

Isaack anything that relates to the heart can be terrifying depending on the person. If you have been checked out by your doctor and it all boils down to anxiety, then you need to accept it as such. The more you accept the symptoms as not dangerous or harmful, the less they will bother you.

If you haven't been to your doctor, it is always best to get his opinion as to what's going on since we are not doctors and can only advise on supporting you.

I will point out that hydrating daily with plenty of water will keep some of the palps away. Using methods like meditation and deep breathing also helps reduce stress and anxiety in your life.

[Isaack in reply to Agora1]

It all,makes sense. Thank you tho. I feel better about it. I,was just curious because I'm not sure if I get flatters. Or just palps.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Palpitations are like a bump in the road. Heart flutters are more like several bumps and really fast. Like a butterfly or hummingbirds wings. One flap is palpitation. A series combined is flutter. Both can be caused from many things. Heart disease, caffeine, indigestion, anxiety etc palpitations are quite normal and many people have them but can be more serious. Both can be the valve that opens and closes to let blood through your heart. Palpitations or Flutters can be atrial or ventricular. The atrium or ventricles misfiring. Either if combined with a very fast heart rate can be more dangerous. My dad had a pacemaker for ventricular fibrillation and my mom atrial primarily to control their heart rate and shock if the went into a fatal rhythm. It is definitely something you should discuss with your doctor as causes can range from nothing to fatal. With anxiety bad that can often be the cause but anxiety can cause more serious heart problems or exacerbate milder heart trouble. I would try to eliminate caffeine from your diet to start along with going to doctor for EKG. They have heart rate apps on smart phones that can check your heart rate. My mom uses them. Keeping a log of your BP and heart rate at different times of rest and activity or standing, lying and sitting can be very helpful as well when you go to your doctor and can help them with valuable information. They will do blood work and EKG probably and if any concerns may even want to send you home with a halter monitor for 24 hours. Don’t forget many causes are not dangerous! Just worth making sure of course. I wish you well!

[Isaack in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I've only had a panic attack twice. The first one my heart was beating so fast I thought I was dying. My heart felt like it was a squirrel trying to get out of my chest. In not sure if those were flatters but my heart was super fast. But I already went to the doctor and they said I'm good. I was just curious because I'm not sure if I experienced a flatter,

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

The only real difference is rate and frequency. Flutters feel like a quick flittering. Like a hummingbird or butterfly depending on rate. They are both palpitations or “hiccups” Many are insignificant. It’s a fluttery feeling. Both can be scary of course if you don’t know the cause. Diet and exercise can help but anxiety or mental illness is often the cause.

[Isaack in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

When I had them first I thought my heart was gona stop.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Isaack]

It won’t. Stay away from caffeine but it won’t stop. Try anything you can to just relax. They are very common. I have them all the time.