Wegovy and Heart Palpitations: User Experiences
For many people, Wegovy offers a promising route to weight loss when traditional approaches have plateaued or become overwhelming. Yet alongside the expected side effects such as nausea or reduced appetite, a number of users report something far more unsettling: episodes of heart palpitations, racing heartbeats, or sensations of skipped beats that appear soon after starting or increasing their dose.
These experiences can be frightening, especially for those with no prior cardiac history, or for individuals who have spent years managing anxiety, arrhythmias, or other health concerns. What begins as a hopeful start to treatment can quickly feel destabilising when the heartbeat becomes unpredictable. Many describe a mixture of confusion, fear, and frustration as they try to determine whether the medication, stress, dehydration, diet changes, or something else entirely is responsible.
At the same time, user accounts vary widely. Some experience brief flutters only at higher doses. Others report persistent palpitations that last weeks or months after stopping. A smaller number found the symptom improved once they adjusted hydration, electrolytes, or injection timing. Collectively, these stories show the complexity of how Wegovy interacts with individual bodies.
When the Palpitations Begin
Across user reports, palpitations often start shortly after a dose increase or within the first few injections. Several people describe symptoms emerging in a clear pattern: strong fluttering sensations, skipped beats, elevated heart rate, or episodes intense enough to disrupt sleep or daily routines.
One user noticed a sudden change just days after starting treatment:
"By day three, I started getting insane palpitations. Like, all day, sometimes every other beat, nonstop… I stopped taking Wegovy after a couple of weeks when I noticed the palpitations weren’t letting off." -Significant_Life7
Another described a similar escalation after a dose increase:
"I took my first 1mg dose and felt horrible… now have PVCs. I quit two weeks ago and my PVCs seem to be nowhere as many." -flowerpowee1976
Some users with no previous cardiac history found the change abrupt and alarming:
"I had never had any issues with my heart. When I started ozympic, I started having severe PVC's… I'm done with ozympic. It is clearly an issue for my heart." -jacky4u3
These patterns suggest that for certain individuals, even small changes in dosing or timing may be enough to trigger noticeable cardiac sensations. Many people emphasise the emotional toll-worry, uncertainty, and the fear of continuing a medication that suddenly feels unpredictable.
Common Triggers and Patterns People Notice
While experiences differ, many users begin identifying possible triggers or contributing factors. Some found symptoms peaked at specific dose levels; others noticed a link to hydration, carbohydrate intake, or underlying stress.
A user who experimented with dietary patterns found a consistent connection:
"I've only experienced the side effect of heart palpitations when I've eaten a bunch of carbs on an EMPTY stomach… once I figured that out, I've had 0 side effects." -SiljeLiff
Hydration and electrolytes come up frequently as well:
"Flushing your electrolytes is very common on this med… if you're low on potassium, magnesium, or sodium, your heart's electrical system can absolutely become affected." -Alilbitey
Others describe dose-related sensitivity that seemed to build over time:
"I started Wegovy again… and the heart palpitations started again even when taking the lower dose. So I then knew for sure it was the Wegovy that caused this." -WasabiArtistic4675
Some reported their palpitations were intermittent but clearly connected to injection days:
"It’s sporadic and there is certainly a correlation with the medicine because they get worse every time I inject it." -anonymous (deleted user)
And a few describe more severe reactions, including episodes of tachycardia or needing hospital care:
"My husband… increased doses to 2. Within a few days, he was in the ER with tachycardia. He got shocked 3 times in 10 hours." -LazyOpening9799
These accounts highlight how palpitations may be influenced by multiple factors-dose, hydration, food intake, stress, concurrent illness, or personal sensitivity. For some, reducing the dose helped; for others, symptoms continued even after stopping.
How People Cope and What Helps
For many, the first step is seeking reassurance that the symptom is recognised and not uncommon. Several users report improvements after stabilising electrolytes or increasing hydration:
"Just one glass of Gatorade is enough to help with palpitations… electrolytes are essential when on semaglutide." -Every_Ingenuity9354
Others found relief only after pausing or discontinuing the medication:
"I went off Wegovy and everything went back to normal." -CruedEP
A few users shared that medical evaluation helped them feel more grounded, even when tests came back normal:
"My doctor checked my thyroid and blood sugar… next step is Cardiology." -Initial_Onion671
And some needed extended monitoring:
"I’m wearing a holter monitor and got an echo and… tilt table test." -CicadaPristine1606
The variability in outcomes underscores that palpitations can be either a transient reaction or a more persistent concern. For individuals with existing heart conditions-or those who develop new, severe, or prolonged symptoms-professional guidance becomes especially important.
Pharmacist’s Comment
According to Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino, changes in heart rhythm can feel unsettling, especially when they appear suddenly during GLP-1 treatment.
"These medications can raise resting heart rate in some people, and this can make normal sensations more noticeable. For most, this is mild and temporary, but it should always be discussed with a clinician if it feels severe or persistent." -Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino
"Palpitations can also stem from dehydration or shifts in electrolytes, which are common when appetite drops or food intake changes. Ensuring regular hydration and balanced meals-particularly adequate salt, potassium, and magnesium-can help stabilise symptoms."
"Anyone with chest pain, a racing heart that does not settle, fainting, or a history of arrhythmias should seek medical advice promptly. It may be appropriate to adjust the dose, pause treatment, or review other contributing factors such as thyroid function, illness, or concurrent medications."
Final Thoughts
Heart palpitations on Wegovy can be surprising and worrying, particularly when they occur early in treatment or intensify after dose increases. The shared experiences make clear that this side effect varies widely: some people notice brief, occasional flutters, while others experience more intense or prolonged episodes that require medical evaluation.
Most importantly, these experiences do not mean something is "wrong" with the individual. They reflect the highly personal way GLP-1 medications interact with the body. Many users find symptoms improve with hydration, electrolyte balance, slower dose escalation, or short treatment breaks. Others decide the medication is not right for them and explore alternative approaches.
If palpitations become frequent, severe, or anxiety-inducing, it’s sensible to speak with a clinician who can help determine whether the medication, dose, hydration, or other health factors are contributing. With the right guidance, most people are able to make informed decisions that balance safety with their long-term goals.
