Yes, high blood sugar can cause heart palpitations. However, there are also many other potential causes, such as stress, low blood sugar, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, and stimulants, such as caffeine or nicotine.
The best way to determine if high blood sugar is causing heart palpitations is to use a blood sugar monitor or consult a doctor for tests. It is especially important to do this if a person has other symptoms that could indicate diabetes, such as:
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- fatigue
- blurry vision
- unintentional weight loss
- slow-healing wounds
- tingling or pain in the hands and feet
The signs of diabetes can be subtle to begin with, so even if a person has only noticed small changes, they should speak with a medical professional.
A medical professional may perform tests that determine if a person has hyperglycemia. If the person does not, then something else may be causing heart palpitations.
Often, heart palpitations are harmless. They occur when the heartbeat becomes more noticeable, which can happen for a variety of reasons, including lack of sleep and exercise.
However, persistent, recurring, or long-lasting palpitations can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. Speak with a doctor if a person has:
- a family history of heart conditions
- palpitations that last more than a few minutes
- palpitations that keep coming back or get worse over time
- other symptoms, such as persistent fatigue or dizziness
If heart palpitations occur suddenly along with any of the
- chest pain or pressure
- pain in the back, abdomen, shoulders, arm, or jaw
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- weakness
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty staying awake or loss of consciousness
If a person has recently experienced these symptoms but they have since resolved, contact a doctor as soon as possible.