Palpitations
Palpitations is the term which is used to describe an awareness of the heart beat. Sometimes palpitations are due to an increased awareness of the normal heart rhythm which can occur when people are anxious or if the blood vessels of the body are relaxed, for example due to alcohol.
Ectopic or extra heart beats are generally not dangerous but they can cause considerable anxiety. Simple tests can confirm healthy heart function in people with this type of palpitations and this will usually result in a reduced impact of the ectopic beats on quality of life.
In other people, palpitations are due to a sustained abnormality of heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation (LINK) or supraventricular tachycardia(SVT). For intermittent abnormalities it can be difficult to reach a clear diagnosis as the electrocardiogram (ECG) is generally normal between episodes. In this situation some form of ambulatory ECG monitoring (LINK) is often required to reach a diagnosis.
- What are Ectopic Heart Beats?
Ectopic or extra heart beats are generally not dangerous but they can cause considerable anxiety. Simple tests can confirm healthy heart function in people with this type of palpitations and this will usually result in a reduced impact of the ectopic beats on quality of life.
- What else can cause palpitations?
In other people, palpitations are due to a sustained abnormality of heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation (LINK) or supraventricular tachycardia(SVT). For intermittent abnormalities it can be difficult to reach a clear diagnosis as the electrocardiogram (ECG) is generally normal between episodes. In this situation some form of ambulatory ECG monitoring (LINK) is often required to reach a diagnosis.
