Heart palpitations can be unsettling, making you suddenly aware of your heart racing, pounding, or fluttering. While the sensation can be alarming, understanding what’s causing them is the first step to finding relief. If you’re experiencing heart palpitations, a healthcare provider will guide you through a diagnostic process to determine the underlying cause and the best course of action.
Physical Exam and Medical History: The First Steps
Your journey to understanding and managing heart palpitations typically begins with a thorough physical examination. A healthcare provider will use a stethoscope to listen to your heart, checking for any unusual sounds or rhythms. This initial exam may also involve looking for visible signs of conditions that can trigger palpitations, such as a swollen thyroid gland in the neck.
In addition to the physical exam, your medical history is crucial. Be prepared to answer questions about your past health issues, any medications you’re currently taking, lifestyle factors, and details about your palpitations themselves – when they occur, how often, and what they feel like. This comprehensive overview helps your doctor narrow down potential causes and decide if further testing is needed.
Diagnostic Tests for Heart Palpitations
If your healthcare provider suspects that your heart palpitations might be linked to an irregular heartbeat or another heart condition, they may recommend specific tests to get a clearer picture of your heart’s activity. These tests are designed to monitor and record your heart’s electrical signals and structure.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
An electrocardiogram, often shortened to ECG or EKG, is a quick and painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. Small, sticky patches called electrodes are placed on your chest, and sometimes on your arms and legs. These electrodes are connected by wires to a computer that displays the results as a graph.
An ECG can reveal if your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or irregularly. It’s a standard first-line test to assess heart rhythm and detect various heart conditions that could be causing palpitations.
Holter Monitoring
A Holter monitor is essentially a portable ECG device that you wear for a longer period, typically for a day or two. This device continuously records your heart’s rate and rhythm as you go about your daily activities. It’s particularly useful for capturing palpitations that don’t occur frequently enough to be detected during a standard ECG performed in a doctor’s office.
Some modern wearable devices, like smartwatches, now offer the capability of remote ECG monitoring. If you’re interested in this option, discuss with your healthcare provider whether a smartwatch ECG could be beneficial in your situation.
Event Recording
If your palpitations are infrequent – perhaps less than once a week – or if a Holter monitor doesn’t capture any irregular rhythms, your doctor might suggest an event recorder. This is another portable device that you wear for up to 30 days, or until you experience palpitations.
Unlike a Holter monitor that records continuously, an event recorder only records when triggered. You press a button on the device when you feel palpitations starting. This records your heart’s electrical activity during the event, providing valuable information even if palpitations are sporadic.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a noninvasive ultrasound of your heart. It uses sound waves to create moving images of your heart in motion. This test allows your doctor to visualize the structure of your heart, assess blood flow, and identify any structural problems that could be contributing to palpitations. An echocardiogram can help rule out conditions related to heart valves or chambers as potential causes.
Finding Answers and Relief
Undergoing these diagnostic steps is crucial for understanding the cause of your heart palpitations. While the sensation can be bothersome, identifying the underlying issue is the key to managing and potentially stopping them. Working closely with your healthcare provider through this diagnostic process will pave the way for appropriate treatment and peace of mind.
