Understanding Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are feelings that your heart is beating too fast, too hard, fluttering, or skipping beats. While often harmless, palpitations can sometimes indicate an underlying heart condition that requires medical attention.
What Do Palpitations Feel Like?
You might describe palpitations as:
- A fluttering sensation in your chest
- A pounding or racing heartbeat
- Skipped beats or extra beats
- A flip-flopping sensation
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact us if palpitations are accompanied by:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Prolonged episodes lasting several minutes
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose the cause of your palpitations, we may use EKG, Holter monitoring, event recorders, or echocardiography. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle modifications, medications to control heart rhythm, or procedures such as catheter ablation for certain arrhythmias.
Many palpitations are benign, but a proper evaluation is important to rule out potentially serious heart rhythm disorders.
