heart palpitations

I am 25 years old and I have been experiencing heart palpiations for over 8 weeks. This tends to be when I am relaxed when sitting or lying down and I have even experienced them stood still at work. I am a very active indivual and I work as a Fitness Instructor teaching up to 2 spin classes a week and doing outdoor running to keep fit.
I have suffered from palpitations before and have visited my GP. They told me these were normal. Since that visit over 2 years ago, the palpiations are happening every day and lasting for up for up to 6 hours at a time. I feel I have to relieve the pressure of the palpitation by 'coughing' but this only relieves it for a short while.
I have read through alot of information on this website, would you reccommend that I visit my GP and request an ECG? I just wish for my mind to be put at rest because the palpiations just dont seem to be going away and are really bothering me.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Awareness of your heartbeat is termed as palpitation and it can be due to hyperthyroidism( overactive thyroid), arrhythmias (altered electrical system of the heart), certain medications, heart failure, anemia and low blood sugar. It can be aggravated by exercise, fever, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and dehydration. Anxiety, fear or stress can cause palpitations. To clear your doubts you can have an EKG and blood tests done.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.