Yesterday went to the er and was diagnosed with mild pneumonia. One questions I failed to ask-I have been having heart palpations since my back and shortness of breath start 1 weeks ago. Cou;d heart palpatations be from the pneumonia? I am 61 yo and in good health.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Pneumonia is acute infection of lungs. As a rule acute infection anywhere in the body cause sympathetic stimulation. And this cause rapid heart rate (tachycardia), palpitation. Another reason is infection induced hypotension. And hypotension can cause tachycardia and palpitations. You are also having breathlessness, so this can also contribute to palpitation. Improvement in palpitation is a marker of improvement in pneumonia. So take your Chat Doctor.  Usual time of recovery is 1-2 weeks.