Heart palpitations, a racing, pounding, or fluttering sensation in the chest, can be startling. While often harmless, they can signal a serious underlying health issue. Knowing when to seek cardiologist attention is important for heart health.
Understanding Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are perceptions of an abnormal heartbeat, feeling like skipped, extra, or rapid beats. These sensations may be felt in the chest, neck, or throat, whether active, resting, or lying down.
The heart’s electrical system coordinates its contractions. Palpitations arise from a disruption in this signaling.
Common Causes That Are Not Usually Serious
Many factors can trigger non-serious heart palpitations. Emotional responses like stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and intense exercise are common causes. Lifestyle choices such as excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, nicotine use, and certain recreational drugs can also lead to palpitations.
Dehydration, fever, and low blood sugar are other non-cardiac causes. Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can affect heart rhythm. Some over-the-counter medications, including cold remedies with decongestants, and certain herbal supplements, may induce palpitations.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Certain warning signs accompanying heart palpitations require immediate medical attention. These include palpitations with chest pain or pressure radiating to the arm, jaw, or back. Severe shortness of breath, making it difficult to speak, is another serious symptom.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, fainting, or near-fainting spells suggest inadequate blood flow to the brain and require immediate evaluation. Unusual sweating alongside palpitations also indicates urgent care. These symptoms could signal a serious underlying heart condition, such as a heart attack or a life-threatening arrhythmia.
When to Schedule a Cardiologist Appointment
Situations where palpitations are not an emergency but warrant a scheduled cardiologist visit include frequent, persistent, or worsening palpitations over time. If palpitations occur without an obvious trigger, or if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death, a cardiology assessment is advisable.
Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, such as a history of heart attack, heart failure, or known arrhythmias, should consult a cardiologist if they experience new or changing palpitations. Other chronic conditions like thyroid disorders, anemia, or diabetes can also be linked to palpitations and should prompt a specialist visit. Even mild but recurrent symptoms warrant a cardiology evaluation to rule out more serious conditions like atrial fibrillation.
What to Expect During a Cardiologist Visit
A cardiologist appointment typically begins with a detailed discussion of your medical history and symptoms. The cardiologist will perform a physical examination, including listening to your heart and lungs, checking your pulse rate and rhythm, and assessing blood pressure. This initial assessment helps the specialist understand your concerns.
Common diagnostic tests performed may include:
- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which measures the heart’s electrical activity.
- Holter monitoring (a portable ECG worn for 24 hours or longer) or an event recorder (worn for a month to capture infrequent events) for intermittent palpitations.
- An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, to visualize heart structure and function.
- A stress test, in some cases, to evaluate heart performance under physical exertion.