Palpitation Specialist

What is a palpitation?

A palpitation causes sensations of a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart. Usually, palpitations occur due to external factors like stress, medication, or strenuous exercise. In some instances, they indicate a more serious health problem.

What are the symptoms of palpitation?

Heart palpitations make it feel like your heart is:

• Skipping beats
• Fluttering rapidly
• Beating too fast
• Pounding
• Flip-flopping

If you have palpitations, you might also experience shortness of breath, nausea, or dizziness.

When should I see a cardiologist about palpitation?

Many people experience palpitations infrequently. If yours occur on occasion, when you’re feeling stressed out or following exercise, there’s likely nothing to worry about. 

If you have a history of heart disease and your palpitations occur daily, visit the team at Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group. There’s an interventional cardiologist on staff who can recommend tests to monitor the health and function of your heart. 

What causes a heart palpitation?

Heart palpitations occur for various reasons, including:

• Strong emotional responses like stress or anxiety
• Depression
• Fever
• Consuming stimulants like caffeine
• Hormone changes
• Strenuous exercise

Rarely, heart palpitations indicate a more serious heart-related health problem like an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

How is a palpitation diagnosed?

To diagnose a heart palpitation, your Texas Heart & Vein Multispecialty Group provider conducts a physical exam and asks about your symptoms, including when they started and if any activities like exercise or going to work make them worse.

Next, your provider listens to your heart with a stethoscope. They also assess the size of your thyroid gland to rule out conditions like hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. 

If your provider suspects your palpitations are due to a more serious underlying heart problem, they might order additional tests like an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, or Holter monitoring. These assessments monitor the function of your heart muscle.

How is a palpitation treated?

Most heart palpitations respond well to conservative, at-home treatments like reducing stress, avoiding stimulants, and not taking illicit drugs. If your palpitations occur due to an underlying health problem, the team might recommend prescription medication or surgical intervention.

To receive treatment for heart palpitation, make an appointment at Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group by calling the nearest office today or scheduling online.