Palpitation overview
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Palpitation Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Palpitation overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Palpitation overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
A palpitation is an awareness of the beating of the heart, whether it is too slow, too fast, irregular, or at its normal frequency.
Classification
People describe their palpitations in many different ways, including
- A sense that the heart has stopped
- Fluttering in the chest
- Feeling anxious or panicked
- Forceful beating that comes on when they stand up
Causes
There are a vast number of causes of palpitations, including namely any condition that causes the heart to be rapidly, forcefully, or irregularly. In general, palpitations may be caused by primary abnormalities in the heart (tachycardia or forceful heart beating), reductions in oxygen carrying capacity (anemia), reductions in the volume of blood circulating (dehydration), sympathetic nervous system stiumlation (fever, exertion, panic attacks, drugs), excess hormone production (hyperthyroidism).
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Many times, the person experiencing palpitations may not be aware of anything apart from the abnormal heart rhythm itself. But palpitations can be associated with other things such as tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. Depending on the type of rhythm problem, these symptoms may be just momentary or more prolonged. Actual blackouts or near blackouts, associated with palpitations, should be taken seriously because they often indicate the presence of important underlying heart disease.