Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations When I Quit Smoking?

Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations When I Quit Smoking?

When someone quits smoking they go through what is called nicotine withdrawals. This means that the body and brain are trying to get back to the state they were in before smoking cigarettes introduced many toxic chemicals into the mix. These symptoms can range from dizziness to coughing and also range in severity. Some people only have mild discomfort and some people have more severe pain. However, these withdrawal symptoms usually only last 2 to 4 weeks as the body is flushing itself of toxins and rebalancing itself.

One symptom that can be a little more terrifying than the others: heart palpitations. This is usually because anything going wrong with the heart is dangerous. Many people often relate palpitations to a heart attack. This article will discuss what heart palpitations are, causes of heart palpitations, how to ease them, and how Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy can help calm you after quitting smoking.

What Are Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are basically the feeling that your heart is beating too fast, too hard, or fluttering. Sometimes it can feel like your heart is skipping a beat which is called an ectopic beat but these are very common and in most cases are not dangerous. Heart palpitations can also be felt in the throat, neck or other areas of the chest. They are usually mild and only last for a few seconds or minutes.

Causes of Heart Palpitations

While smoking is one of the major causes of heart palpitations, it is not the only one. Many people have heart palpitations after they quit smoking because their body is trying to clean itself of harmful toxins caused by years of smoking. Quitting smoking is a great way to avoid heart palpitations in the future but since your body still has chemicals in it from smoking, you may feel some of their after effects, such as heart palpitations. However, smoking and quitting smoking are not the only causes of heart palpitations. There is a chance that quitting smoking is not the only cause of them and it is best to rule out other possibilities, just in case.

Some other causes of heart palpitations include:

  • Panic attacks – Feelings of stress and anxiety combined with heart palpitations could mean a panic attack. They can be frightening but usually only last a short time.
  • Lifestyle choices – This includes smoking but also other factors such as excessive alcohol or caffeine, eating rich or spicy foods, or using recreational drugs.
  • Medical Conditions – Conditions such as anaemia, low blood-sugar, fever, dehydration, or an overactive thyroid
  • Physical Activity – Pushing your body past its limits
  • Hormonal Changes – Periods, pregnancy, and menopause are the most common
  • Medications – Some medications cause heart palpitations, but this side effect should always be listed on the bottle
  • Heart Condition – Sometimes there can be a more serious problem and you should consult a doctor

How To Ease Heart Palpitations

When you quit smoking you could experience some heart palpitations that occur from the nicotine withdrawal. This is a normal symptom of nicotine withdrawals and should subside in a few weeks. There are a few things that you can do to ease the heart palpitations in the meantime. Some of these are:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety – Stress can aggravate heart palpitations. There are many ways to reduce stress such as yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation.
  • Avoiding stimulants – This can be anything that makes your heart beat faster. Stressful environments and situations, products like caffeine, alcohol, sugar, energy drinks, and especially nicotine can all contribute to heart palpitations.
  • Abstain from illegal drugs – Amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs will get your heart racing and most likely cause heart palpitations.
  • Avoid stimulant medications – Some medications for colds, coughs, and nutritional supplements contain stimulant ingredients.

Heart palpitations can be indicative of a more serious heart condition. If you suspect your heart palpitations are more than just a symptom of quitting smoking, consult a doctor immediately.

Reduce Stress to Help Heart Pallpitations

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Heart palpitations are can often occur after a person quits smoking. There are many withdrawal side effects after you quit smoking and heart palpitations are one of them. They are generally not painful and should last a very short time, but they can be scary because they involve the heart.

One way to decrease stress, lessen your chances for heart palpitations, and quit smoking successfully is to try Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist with over 30 years of experience helping people quit smoking and handling the withdrawal symptoms that come afterward. He uses no chemicals that could cause heart palpitations, only the power of the mind. By gently altering brain patterns, he can help you to get over your cigarette addiction for life!

If you are having trouble quitting smoking or difficulties with withdrawal symptoms like heart palpitations, then consider Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy to help you lead a healthier life!

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