Cardiologist Dr Siyab MD has shared that a common condition experienced by millions of people across the UK is a legitimate cause of heart palpitations and other symptoms - and people shouldn't dismiss it
News Jess Flaherty 18:04, 14 Apr 2025
A cardiologist has highlighted a common condition that many people experience could be the reason behind heart palpitations.
Heart palpitations, a condition where one becomes acutely aware of their own heartbeat, are relatively common and "usually harmless", according to the NHS.
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However, it's advisable to seek help if you keep experiencing them or have other health related symptoms. While there can be various causes for this condition, one cardiologist is keen to stress that a common ailment shouldn't be overlooked or dismissed as a potential cause - anxiety.
Mental Health UK reveals that just over one in 10 people in the UK will be living with an anxiety disorder at any given time, equating to more than eight million individuals - though everyone's experience of anxiety disorders varies.
Dr Siyab MD took to TikTok to share a video addressing this issue. The video begins with two written statements to set the tone.
The first states: "My heart palpitations can't be anxiety, it must be an undiagnosed heart condition." This is followed by a second, which reads: "Don't let anxiety convince you that you have an undiagnosed heart condition every time your heart palpitates.
"Anxiety causes your heart to palpitate, it's a common symptom. Get an ECG if you're concerned but once the tests clear you, learn to categorise heart palpitations as anxiety and learn not to flinch when they come up."
The doctor then appears on screen to provide more insight into how anxiety and panic disorders can affect the rhythm of the heart.
Dr Siyab explained palpitations can be felt in a range of ways. He said: "Palpitations are commonly felt by people in a variety of ways but typically, they'll be felt as a heart racing, or fluttering in the chest, or some similar symptom by most people.
"Palpitations have a whole laundry list of causes ranging from benign all the way to things that are significant. Commonly, it'll be an actual abnormal heart rhythm - anything from PVCs, to arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter or SVT, etc."
The cardiologist then said: "However, and some of y'all may not like it that I say this but anxiety is also a common cause of heart palpitations."
Dr Siyab emphasised the importance of not jumping to conclusions about the potential reason for heart palpitations, advising people to seek a thorough examination.
He stressed anyone experiencing palpitations shouldn't automatically assume it's anxiety responsible for their changing heart rhythm, urging patients to "get a proper work-up" to check "there's no organic physical problem with the heart that could be causing their symptoms".
He acknowledged that while some of his patients do suffer from palpitations due to "abnormal heart rhythms or other abnormalities", there are many who have palpitations as a result of diagnosed anxiety, which can lead to similar symptoms.
Dr Siyab listed the different types of anxiety people may experience, stressing they're "very real medical conditions". He explained anxiety and other forms of panic disorder can "manifest in physical ways", causing issues like chest pain or palpitations.
Concluding, the cardiologist added: "I think it is very dangerous and harmful to just outright dismiss anxiety, health anxiety, panic disorder as a legitimate cause of heart related symptoms - because it is dismissive of an actual, sometimes debilitating, condition that a lot of people have and it delays the care that they need."
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In the caption posted alongside the clip, the doctor penned: "Anxiety in all its forms is a LEGITIMATE cause of heart symptoms like palpitations and chest pain, etc. People with anxiety related symptoms deserved to be taken seriously and treated appropriately."
Should you be concerned about your heart health, book a consultation with your GP with your doctor as soon as possible for a tailored medical check-up.
