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Heart Palpitations Diagnosis

The National Institute of Heath says heart palpitations can feel as though your heart is racing, fluttering, pounding or even skipping a beat. Palpitations can occur while at rest or during physical exertion. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart palpitations are generally innocuous and are often the result of exercise or stress. In rare cases they may indicate a more serious condition such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).

  1. Causes and Risk

    • It may be impossible to determine the precise cause of your heart palpitations, but some common triggers are nicotine, caffeine and zealous emotional reactions such as anxiety and stress.

      Cold and cough medications and certain asthma inhaler medicines that contain stimulants such as pseudoephedrine may also cause heart palpitations to occur.

      Hormonal changes in women who are menstruating, pregnant or going through menopause may lead to palpitations of the heart. They are also more likely to occur in people who have a heart defect or have had a prior heart attack.

    Exam

    • Your doctor will check your pulse and blood pressure and listen to your heart through a stethoscope to find out if your heart beat is too fast or irregular. As part of your exam, your doctor may look for indications of conditions such as a swollen thyroid gland that may be causing the palpitations.

    Tests

    • Diagnostic tools may also include an electrocardiogram (ECG). During this non-invasive procedure, probes are placed on the chest. The electrical impulses that are recorded by the ECG assist your doctor in spotting heart abnormalities that could be causing the palpitations.

      An echocardiogram (ECHO) is an ultrasound device that can display clear images of your heart's function and makeup. Ultrasound waves are sent out and their echoes are recorded with a diagnostic tool called a transducer that's held outside your body. A computer deciphers the information and generates moving images on a monitor.

    Treatment

    • If your physical exam and tests detect a primary heart disorder such as an arrhythmia, your treatment will center on remedying the underlying condition.
      Heart palpitations in and of themselves do not generally require any specific treatment other than eliminating the lifestyle factors that may activate them.

    Home Care

    • Heart palpitations are more apt to occur during periods of high stress and/or anxiety. You may try stress management strategies such as meditation or yoga.
      Restrict your intake of stimulants including nicotine and caffeine. They may make your heart speed up and cause palpitations.

      Be sure to keep a watchful eye on your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

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