The Cleveland Clinic explains that your heartbeat is a precise and organized process. Electrical signals travel in perfect harmony, sending contraction signals from one part of your heart to another, creating a regular rhythm that keeps blood flowing throughout your body.
They add that when one of these heartbeats malfunctions, you may experience heart palpitations—a sensation like your heart is beating too hard, fluttering, racing, or even stopping. You might not have given much thought to how your heart beats or why it beats this way, or at least you hadn't until this strange sensation surprised you.
Now, this is on your mind, and you're wondering why your heart is palpitating and whether you need a supplement to improve your body's functions. At least, that's what vitamin companies might suggest.
The website quotes cardiologist Dr. Tamanna Singh on the role of certain vitamins and minerals in regulating heartbeats and how to restore balance.
Blood pressure medication (American Heart Association)
Blood pressure medication (American Heart Association)
What are the causes of palpitations?
Heart palpitations are very common, and there are many reasons why they might occur. Often, occasional irregular heartbeats are nothing to worry about, especially if they aren't accompanied by other symptoms.
However, if you experience heart palpitations and feel unwell (nausea, dizziness, or any other feeling of illness), you should take it seriously and seek immediate medical attention.
Common causes of palpitations include caffeine consumption, dehydration, irregular heartbeats, and strong emotions such as nervousness, fear, and anxiety.
Additionally, Dr. Singh says that some people may experience palpitations if their bodies are deficient in certain nutrients.
Electrolytes and Heart Palpitations: When you hear the word "electrolytes," which refers to electrically charged minerals and salts such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, you might think of sports drinks. But the role of electrolytes goes beyond simply quenching thirst; Your body uses electrolytes to carry electrical charges, which allow your muscles—including your heart muscle—to contract.
Dr. Singh explains, “Electrolytes are essential for the heart to contract and relax at the right times, maintaining a regular heartbeat. If there is an electrolyte deficiency, the electrical signal to the heart may be delayed, causing an irregular heartbeat, a stopped heartbeat, or a rapid heartbeat.”
The three electrolytes most commonly associated with heart palpitations are magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Low levels of any or all of these electrolytes can create the conditions for heart palpitations.
A smartwatch that monitors physiological stress indicators such as an increased heart rate (Mayo Clinic)
A smartwatch that monitors physiological stress indicators such as an increased heart rate (Mayo Clinic)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is not an electrolyte itself, but the so-called “sunshine vitamin” can affect electrolyte levels in the body. Dr. Singh says, “Vitamin D is directly related to electrolytes; it helps the body absorb calcium and transports magnesium throughout the body. So, a vitamin D deficiency can prevent the body from getting the electrolytes it needs.”
In addition to palpitations, vitamin D deficiency is commonly associated with symptoms such as bone pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, pain or cramps, mood swings, and mental health disorders like depression.
Vitamin D deficiency is common, especially among people who don’t get enough sun exposure. Researchers say that more than one billion people worldwide don’t get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in some foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, and some fortified cereals, but sun exposure with sunscreen is the best natural way for your body to get enough vitamin D. If you are deficient in vitamin D, your doctor may recommend taking supplements.
Iron
Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency can mean not having enough red blood cells, a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency can cause fatigue and shortness of breath, and it can also cause heart palpitations because the heart may beat harder or faster to try to pump red blood cells throughout the body.
Should you take supplements to stop heart palpitations?
A quick online search or a visit to the supplement section of a store will reveal many products that claim to stop heart palpitations and restore a normal heart rhythm. However, just because these products are available doesn't mean they are the right solution for you.
Dr. Singh strongly advises against self-medicating for heart palpitations, saying, “If you’re worried and think your palpitations might be due to a nutritional deficiency, talk to a doctor. They can rule out other causes and do a quick blood test to confirm if that’s the real reason for your palpitations.”
There are two reasons why you shouldn’t try to diagnose or treat yourself: Heart palpitations can sometimes be a sign of a serious heart problem. So, it’s important for a doctor to get to the root of the issue. And it’s very easy to overdo it with supplements and harm yourself in other ways.
The website also points out that it’s easy to take a regular heartbeat for granted; it happens about 100,000 times a day, and we rarely notice it. So, when it becomes irregular, it’s natural to want to get it back on track. Talk to your doctor about your palpitations; they can help you understand any deficiencies you might have and how to get more of what your body needs.