Is It Normal For The Hart To Flutter After 2 Weeks Of Quitting Smoking?

Posted on Thu, 1 Oct 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Oct 2020 Answered on

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Is it normal for the hart to flutter after 2 weeks of quitting smoking?

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (4 minutes later)

I had blood work and urine sample and CT scan and everything came back normal. Over the last 2 weeks I have stopped smoking.. My blood pressure run a little high before I stopped 136/87 after I stopped it's around 118/79 pulse 64. If notice my hart flutters now. It always has but only for a sec.. Is this normal? Blood work said everything was fine.. Just hope stopping cold turkey pays off in the long run.. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

After going through the medical query raised by you I can understand your concern and I would like to tell you that yes if you completely stop smoking there will be a significant decline in cardiovascular event risk however it will take a minimum of five years for the event risk to become equal to a non-smoker.

Now coming to your symptoms, yes a lot of individuals feel these kind of palpitations or fluttery sensations after they quit smoking for a couple of days or maybe weeks.

However if the symptoms are frequent then it’s advisable to get an Ecg/EKG done during the time of symptoms to rule out any underlying abnormality.

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Doesn’t seems significant. However try to get an ecg done during the event if possible.

Rest just maintain healthy lifestyle.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (16 minutes later)

Thanks. Just checked my blood pressure this am. It was 118/78 62 pulse. I mowed the lawn the other day just to see if it would flutter but didn't. Checked blood pressure after push mowing the whole yard it was 126/87 77pulse.. The flutter is very brief and once every 2 to 3 days and I feel it maybe once a day if I'm laying on my side..

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Good, just be tight with your commitment to quit smoking and you will be all fine.

Wish you good health.

Kindly close the discussion and leave your valuable feedback.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (19 minutes later)

Thank you sir.. I just don't want to keep running to doctor or hospital with these blood pressure numbers. When real emergency is needed for people who need it.. I feel my heart is strong.. It's a muscle there for its going to flinch and flutter.. I think alot of this is because I'm 15 days stop cold turkey smoking. I think my blood pressure would be way higher if more problems was present.. Thank you so much.

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (11 hours later)

I have one more question. What is the swimmy feeling I feel in my chest? I went to the doc today.. She listened to my hart beat and chest.. Said hart beat sound normal and strong.. She told me the chest pain was not from my hart but from anxiety and withdrawal symptoms of cold turkey quitting smoking for 15 days now.. But I get this swimmy excited feeling thru my chest for a sec

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (2 hours later)

Iv notice I feel the flutter while eating or just finished eating... Almost like the flutter is not my heart so much? Any idea?

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
All these sensations are just the withdrawal effects nothing more. Don’t worry and just let this withdrawal period pass by.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana