Palpitations are a feeling that the heart is beating faster, harder, or with a different beat than usual. Your child may feel like their heart is skipping beats. Palpitations usually aren't a sign of a health problem, and most kids who have them won't need to limit their physical activity. Rarely, palpitations happen because of a heart problem. If this is a concern, a heart specialist will check your child and order testing.

• Reassure your child that they are fine.
• Don't limit your child's physical activity unless the health care provider tells you to do so.
• Cutting back on caffeine may help prevent palpitations. Caffeine is found in coffee, some sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, cold medicine, and some pain relievers. Stress and herbal supplements also can cause palpitations.
• Make sure your child drinks enough liquids every day. How much liquid kids need daily differs by age. Ask your health care provider about the right amount for your child.
• Tobacco products and secondhand smoke cause palpitations in some people. If your child or anyone in your household smokes, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for advice on quitting.
• Be sure that your child gets a checkup every year. If needed, the health care provider may recommend that your child see a cardiologist (heart specialist).

Your child:

• has palpitations more often
• feels like they can't walk during a palpitation
• feels dizzy, weak, or very tired
• gets headaches or sweats often when having palpitations
• seems anxious or depressed

Your child:

• faints
• has heavy breathing or trouble breathing during the palpitations
• has strong chest pressure or pain with the palpitations
• looks pale or sick

What are other symptoms of palpitations? Kids who have palpitations might describe a pounding, racing, skipping, fluttering, or "flip-flop" feeling in the chest. Younger children may say that their heart is "beeping." Parents may notice that a child's heart seems to be beating fast when holding the child close.

What does it mean if a child has palpitations? Usually, palpitations are not related to a heart problem. But in a few kids, they might be a sign of a problem with the way the electric signal travels through the heart or how the heart is pumping. Health care providers check carefully for these problems in kids with palpitations.

How do health care providers diagnose palpitations? Health care providers will ask about what a child was doing when the palpitations happened, listen to the child's heart, and may order an EKG (electrocardiogram). An EKG is a quick, painless test that measures the heart's electrical waves to see how it's working. Sometimes a portable heart monitor is used to check a child's heartbeat for 24 hours.