Heart rhythm disorders: palpitations and assessment
The timing of palpitations and accompanying symptoms help guide assessment. Learn about ECGs, rhythm monitoring, treatment options and emergency warning signs.
Not every fast heartbeat is an arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is a problem with heart rate or rhythm. The heart can speed up during exercise and slow during sleep or rest; pulse rate alone cannot establish a diagnosis. Skipping, pounding or irregular sensations are described as palpitations and may need assessment of their cause.
What do an ECG and rhythm recording show?
An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity. Intermittent symptoms may not appear during a short recording, so a clinician may choose a Holter or another monitor. Recording duration depends on symptom frequency. Blood tests may assess thyroid function and electrolytes, minerals in the body, and heart structure may be checked when needed.
Preparing for your consultation
- Record when episodes begin, their duration, what you were doing and symptoms such as dizziness or chest pain.
- Share medicines, supplements and energy drink, caffeine or alcohol use; do not stop a medicine yourself.
- Tell your clinician about sudden death at a young age, rhythm disorders or unexplained fainting in the family.
Treatment depends on the rhythm disorder
Options may include monitoring, treating an underlying cause, medicines, or procedures such as ablation, which targets abnormal electrical pathways, or a pacemaker in suitable patients. Benefits and risks are individual; not all rhythm disorders need the same intervention. Do not independently try online breath-holding methods, pressure on the neck or extra medicine.
Emergency symptoms with palpitations
Call 112 if palpitations come with chest pain, severe breathlessness or fainting; do not drive yourself. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, tell the operator immediately and follow instructions. Recurrent or increasingly frequent palpitations also need assessment without unnecessary delay.
Information sources
These sources support general information; they do not confirm our hospital’s services or clinical approval.
This information is general and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your own situation with your healthcare team.
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