Fear, Anxiety, and Shock
It is common to have accelerated, noticeable heartbeats when faced with a frightening situation. When you’re frightened because you sense danger, your heart starts to work extra hard [5] to prepare you for any eventuality. This is due to the production of adrenaline, also called the fight or flight hormone.
The heart pumps blood and oxygen to all the organs of the body. This oxygen helps organs like your muscles function properly. As the heart works harder, it gets more oxygenated blood to the muscles. The extra oxygen prepares you to either face the perceived threat or run away.
This whole process doesn’t only happen when faced with the prospect of real danger. Arguments, anxiety with performing on stage, surprises, bungee jumping, and other adrenaline-inducing activities can cause you to have heart palpitations.
Low Potassium
Hypokalemia is the word for abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood. A deficiency of potassium in the body can cause [6] the heart to beat faster and more aggressively than usual.
Potassium plays an important role in regulating your heartbeats. Your heartbeat is regulated by the flow of potassium in and out of the cells of the heart. Low levels of potassium can disrupt this flow and induce heart palpitations.