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Nov 27, 2009, 04:41 AM
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Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,342
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Hey Mum!! 
Im a cardiac nurse and I get palpitations too sometimes.
The hot bath will actually cause vasodilation, which means it will widen the diameter of the veins. Anytime your veins widen, this will cause a drop in blood pressure. This has to do with the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system.
The palpitations could be caused by a decreased blood pressure indirectly. Anytime you decrease the blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump your blood to provide the body with oxygen. This increases the stress/workload on the heart which then causes the heart to demand more oxygen. And anytime the heart becomes more stressed for oxygen, the heart muscle can become irritable and one can experience premature contractions.
This is typically a benign thing, but depending on if you are having any other symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain, nausea, or trouble breathing with these palpitations, it could be a symptom of something more serious.
If you're not having any other symptoms, I say just roll with it and mention it to your Doc next time you see him/her. If you are having other symptoms I suggest getting an evaluation ASAP.
Of course if you ever experience chest/jaw/shoulder/neck pain and/or shortness of breath call 911 and have them take you to the ER.
Hope this helped....and feel free to ask any other questions. 
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