Concern Over Heart Palpitations Warranted

Question: I’m a 32-year-old woman in good health (I think). I’ve been going to my gym two to four times a week for just over two years. I do 30- to 35-minute sessions on a stationary bike, and on alternate days I work out with weights.

Recently I’ve begun to experience heart palpitations during my workouts. I had experienced such palpitations in past years but only on occasion. I know that consuming large amounts of caffeine can cause this, but I typically drink only two cans of caffeinated soda a day (which hasn’t changed since college), and I don’t drink coffee. How concerned should I be with these heart palpitations?

BECKY KOHNFELDER

Answer: Your concern is warranted; you should definitely see your doctor. A stress test and EKG might show that you’re fine. But your true heart condition can be determined only by your physician or cardiologist. So don’t hesitate: Make that appointment.

Stephanie Oakes is the fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel and a health/fitness consultant. To submit a fitness-related question, e-mail stephoakes@aol.com. She cannot respond to every query.