Supplements that can cause irregular heartbeats (palpitations/arrhythmia) include stimulants like bitter orange (synephrine) and ephedra, certain herbal extracts like ginseng, electrolytes like too much potassium or calcium, high-dose fish oil, and even some vitamins like Vitamin B12 or D if imbalanced, plus potentially tainted products with hidden stimulants or prescription drugs. Key culprits are stimulants, high electrolyte doses, and contaminants in weight loss/energy supplements.
Magnesium levels that are extremely high could even lead to irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest (when your heart suddenly stops beating). If you're interested in starting magnesium supplements, or if you're worried about your magnesium levels, talk to your provider about how you can keep up healthy magnesium levels.
Common drugs that may cause arrhythmias include certain antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, antidepressants, anticancer treatments, neurologic drugs and stimulants. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that is frequently treated with antiarrhythmics.
Triggers include:
Possible treatments include:
Potassium deficiency (hypokalaemia) is when you have abnormally low levels of potassium in your blood. Some people with potassium deficiency don't have any symptoms. Other people will notice muscle weakness, muscle cramps and an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
Vitamins and minerals help your body function at its best. But too much or too little of a particular nutrient can sometimes cause problems. Take a fluttering heartbeat, for example. Though rare, certain supplements taken in excess and certain vitamin deficiencies can cause heart palpitations.
Taking doses of vitamin B-12 might cause:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
CoQ10 has been shown to exert therapeutic effects in various cardiac conditions. In patients who had heart attacks, CoQ10 supplementation lowered the occurrence of arrhythmias and improved antioxidant levels. Other natural interventions include vitamins C and E, rhodiola, and resveratrol.
Arrhythmia causes include: Coronary artery disease. Irritable tissue in your heart (due to genetic or acquired causes). High blood pressure.
7 Medications That May Trigger Atrial Fibrillation
“The best forms are magnesium citrate, gluconate, or glycinate,” Campbell says.
Very high doses of magnesium can lead to magnesium toxicity, which can cause hypotension, vomiting, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, and other signs and symptoms. A few cases of fatal hypermagnesemia have been reported.
Combinations of magnesium and potassium with low‐sodium intakes are more effective in reducing BP than using single minerals. It is recommended that 1000 mg of magnesium be combined with 4.7 g of potassium and <1.5 g of sodium per day through both diet and supplements to maximize BP reduction.
Digestive disturbances: Symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Headaches, rashes, and itching. Numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, and facial muscles. Cardiovascular complications: These may include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
Taking vitamin B12 daily is generally safe for most people, as it's water-soluble and excess is flushed out, but high doses can cause mild side effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea in some individuals, while very high levels (especially from injections) might rarely link to other issues, so it's best to stick to recommended amounts unless treating a diagnosed deficiency.
There is some evidence that calcium supplements can increase the risk of heart attack. Some research suggests that the risk is significantly higher in people with diabetes. One review of studies found that calcium supplements increased the risk of heart disease, particularly in healthy postmenopausal women.
Stimulants, bronchodilators, and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) are common medications that can increase your heart rate. In most cases, this is an expected side effect. But if it doesn't go away on its own or you also experience chest pain or trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.
"Calcium regulates your heartbeat," Graham says. "So a deficiency could cause an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, and even lead to chest pains."
Nutritional supplements - Certain dietary supplements such as bitter orange, ephedra, ginseng, hawthorn, and valerian can cause an irregular heartbeat or an increase in heart rate, possibly resulting in heart palpitations.
Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias can be experienced by people of all ages. Common triggers can be but not limited to cardiovascular disease, thyroid disease, lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. Certain types of arrhythmia occur in people with severe heart conditions, and can cause sudden cardiac death.
A small drop in the blood potassium level often does not cause symptoms or causes mild to moderate symptoms, which may include: