Can Lyme Disease Cause Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations can be one of the most frightening symptoms you experience. Your heart suddenly starts racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping beats, leaving you wondering whether something is seriously wrong.

If you have Lyme disease, you may also be asking an important question:

Can Lyme disease cause heart palpitations?

The short answer is yes—it can. However, heart palpitations have many possible causes, and not every episode is related to Lyme disease. That's why it's important to understand what may be happening and when it's time to seek medical attention.

As someone who experienced severe heart symptoms during my own battle with Lyme disease, I know just how scary they can be. My heart rate dropped into the 30s, and I fainted multiple times before finally receiving treatment. While everyone's experience is different, heart symptoms are something that should always be taken seriously.

What Do Heart Palpitations Feel Like?

Heart palpitations simply mean you're unusually aware of your heartbeat. Everyone describes them a little differently.

Some people experience:

• A racing heartbeat
• Fluttering or flip-flopping sensations
• Skipped beats
• A pounding heartbeat
• A heartbeat that feels unusually strong

These episodes may last only a few seconds or continue for several minutes. While many cases turn out to be harmless, new or worsening palpitations should never be ignored without proper medical evaluation.

Why Can Lyme Disease Cause Heart Palpitations?

There isn't one single explanation. Several different factors may contribute to heart symptoms in people with Lyme disease.

• Lyme carditis: In some cases, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease can affect the heart's electrical conduction system. This condition, known as Lyme carditis, may cause dizziness, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, slow heart rate, or heart palpitations. Although relatively uncommon, it requires prompt medical evaluation.
• Dysautonomia: Lyme disease may also affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. When this system isn't functioning properly, people may notice a racing heart, especially when standing up or during mild activity. Some individuals with Lyme disease are also diagnosed with conditions such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
• Inflammation and stress: Researchers continue studying how inflammation affects both the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In addition, once someone experiences frightening heart symptoms, anxiety can make them much more aware of every heartbeat. That doesn't necessarily mean anxiety caused the palpitations—but it can certainly make them feel more intense.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Although Lyme disease can contribute to heart symptoms, it's important not to assume Lyme is always the cause.

You should seek prompt medical evaluation if your heart palpitations are accompanied by:

• Chest pain
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Severe shortness of breath
• Persistent dizziness
• An unusually slow or very fast heart rate
• Symptoms that are new, severe, or worsening

These symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional, even if you've already been diagnosed with Lyme disease.

The encouraging news is that many people notice improvement as the underlying issues affecting their body improve. Depending on the individual, that may involve treating Lyme disease, addressing dysautonomia, improving sleep, correcting nutrient deficiencies, staying hydrated, managing stress, or identifying another underlying medical condition.

Recovery usually doesn't come from one single change. More often, it happens by consistently supporting the body over time.

If you're currently struggling with heart palpitations, know that you're not alone. It's a symptom many people in the Lyme community experience, and while it can be frightening, getting properly evaluated is the first step toward finding answers.

If you're wondering whether Lyme disease could be contributing to your symptoms, you can also take our Free Lyme Disease Assessment at FreeLymeTest.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lyme disease cause heart palpitations?

Yes. Lyme disease can contribute to heart palpitations in some people, either through Lyme carditis, nervous system dysfunction such as dysautonomia, or other indirect effects. However, many other medical conditions can also cause heart palpitations, so proper evaluation is important.

What is Lyme carditis?

Lyme carditis is a complication of Lyme disease in which the infection affects the heart's electrical conduction system. It can cause palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, or changes in heart rhythm and should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.

Can Lyme disease cause a racing heart?

Yes. Some people with Lyme disease experience episodes of rapid heart rate, especially if they also have dysautonomia or POTS. However, a racing heart has many possible causes, making medical evaluation important.

Are heart palpitations from Lyme disease dangerous?

Sometimes they are harmless, but sometimes they may indicate a more serious condition. If heart palpitations are new, severe, or occur with chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, you should seek immediate medical care.

Do heart palpitations improve after Lyme treatment?

Many people report improvement as the underlying issues affecting their body improve. Recovery may involve treating Lyme disease, supporting the autonomic nervous system, improving sleep, reducing inflammation, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and addressing other contributing factors. Every person's recovery is different.