Palpitation

Palpitation is a perceived abnormality of the heartbeat characterized by awareness of heart muscle contractions in the chest: hard, fast and/or irregular beats. It is frequently described as an awareness of the heart beating harder, faster, skipping a beat, fluttering, or "a flip-flopping in the chest".

Causes

Palpitations can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, stress, panic, heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, and certain medications. They may also occur during pregnancy.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of palpitations typically involves a medical history, physical examination, ECG, Holter monitor, event monitor, and echocardiogram. In some cases, a stress test, electrophysiology study, or tilt table test may be necessary.

Treatment

Treatment for palpitations depends on the underlying cause. It may include lifestyle changes, medication, or in some cases, surgery or procedures such as cardioversion or ablation.

See also

• Arrhythmia
• Tachycardia
• Bradycardia
• Premature ventricular contraction
• Premature atrial contraction

References

Palpitation Resources
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