Alison Hammond reassured fans after experiencing a heart palpitation live on This Morning. The presenter later shared a video from a hospital bed, saying she was undergoing tests and felt fine. Her experience highlights the importance of knowing when heart palpitations require medical attention.
What Happened on This Morning
On Friday, October 2, Hammond stepped away from the live show after clutching her chest. Co-host Dermot O’Leary guided her off set and later told viewers she was “feeling a little unwell.”
In a video shared from a hospital bed, Hammond said she experienced “a little bit of a palpitation” during the programme but felt OK and was undergoing tests. Joking she would do “anything to get a day off,” she said: “Hello, my lovelies, I know you're all worried about me. Honestly, I am fine. I'm getting my old ticker checked out. I had a bit of a palpitation and now I'm getting it all checked out. I'm hoping it was a little panic attack. I love you all, I'm so sorry I left you, I would never normally leave a TV show. The doctors are checking me out and hopefully everything is fine. Everything is fine. I’m rocking it. Look how good I look – still got my make-up on from this morning. Lush.”
When to Seek Help for Palpitations
Heart palpitations can make your heartbeat feel uncomfortable or unusual, and you might notice the sensation in your chest, neck or throat, according to the NHS. It might feel like your heart is racing, fluttering, pounding or thumping, and it can sometimes seem irregular—as if it’s skipping beats or adding extra ones. Palpitations can last for a few seconds, several minutes, or longer.
Palpitations are common and not usually a sign of anything serious. Common causes include anxiety, caffeine, recreational drugs, alcohol, medicines (check the leaflet), lack of sleep, stress, strenuous exercise, and nicotine. The NHS explains: “They can also be caused by a condition such as iron deficiency anaemia, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia) or other heart problems such as heart valve disease.”
You should make a GP appointment if palpitations last longer than a few minutes, you have a family history of heart problems, they keep coming back or happen more often, or you have a heart condition. Call 999 or go to A&E if palpitations do not go away, or if you also have feeling faint, fainting, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Understanding Panic Attacks and the ABC Method
According to Mind, panic attacks are an intense, sudden response to anxiety. They can come on rapidly and trigger powerful physical and psychological symptoms. They usually aren’t dangerous, but can feel frightening, like something is seriously wrong. Most panic attacks last five to 20 minutes, though symptoms can last longer if you have another attack or ongoing anxiety.
Physical symptoms can build up quickly, including sweating, trembling or shaking; feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed; feeling very hot or very cold; feeling like your legs are shaky or turning to jelly; hyperventilation; dissociation; chest or stomach pain; nausea; a pounding or racing heartbeat; and struggling to breathe or feeling like you're choking. During an attack, you might feel afraid that you're having a heart attack, going to die, losing control, losing touch with reality, or going to faint.
Mind notes that during a panic attack it can help to remember ABC: Accept, Breathe, and Connect yourself to your senses. Acknowledge that you’re experiencing a panic attack. Concentrate on your breathing by inhaling and exhaling slowly, counting to five each time. You could also try stamping your feet on the spot. Focus on what you can sense in the moment—for instance, suck a mint or chew mint-flavoured gum, or hold and cuddle something soft. Grounding techniques may help you feel more in control, especially if you experience dissociation.
If you’re unable to calm yourself during a panic attack, reach out to someone you trust for support. If you’re on your own, NHS 111 can help, and you can call 111 to access the 24/7 mental health support line (England and Wales), or use NHS 111 online (England).
