What causes a pounding heartbeat that feels like drumming?

Increased heartbeat resembling drumming may be caused by emotional excitement, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, cardiac neurosis, or coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Appropriate treatment measures should be selected based on the specific condition.

1. Emotional Excitement

When experiencing strong emotions or engaging in intense physical activity, myocardial oxygen consumption may increase, leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and chest tightness. This is a physiological phenomenon that typically resolves on its own with deep breathing or adequate rest and usually does not require special treatment.

2. Hypoglycemia

Extended periods of hunger or excessive physical activity can lead to insufficient glucose intake and excessive glycogen consumption, resulting in hypoglycemia. This causes increased central nervous system excitability, manifesting as rapid heartbeat, tremors, and excessive sweating. Prompt intake of high-sugar foods—such as rock sugar, white granulated sugar, or fruit candies—can help raise blood glucose levels and relieve symptoms.

3. Hyperthyroidism

Overactivity of the thyroid gland leads to elevated thyroid hormone levels, causing hyperthyroidism. This often accelerates metabolism, resulting in symptoms such as increased heart rate, frequent hunger, and weight loss. Following medical advice, anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole tablets, carbimazole tablets, or propylthiouracil tablets can be used to help reduce heart rate.

4. Cardiac Neurosis

Prolonged anxiety or emotional stress can cause abnormal excitation of the cerebral cortex and dysfunction of the central nervous system, triggering symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, and palpitations. As directed by a physician, medications such as propranolol hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, metoprolol tartrate capsules, or amiodarone hydrochloride tablets may be prescribed to slow the heart rate.

5. Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

This condition involves atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries after onset, impairing blood and oxygen supply to the myocardium and damaging heart health. Symptoms include chest pain and increased heart rate. After diagnosis, medications such as esmolol hydrochloride injection, bisoprolol fumarate tablets, or clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate tablets may be used under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

Undergoing relevant medical examinations at a hospital and determining the exact cause based on symptoms, medical history, and test results are essential for implementing appropriate treatment and improving outcomes.