When Your Heart Needs Care: What Are Palpitations?
February 20, 2022
By: Amit Shah, MD and Kristin Lawson, NP
Categories: Heart Health
Most palpitations are harmless and do not require further work-up or testing. However, there are some that require treatment.
A palpitation is a sensation that your heart is beating too hard, too fast, or irregularly. People commonly describe feeling like their heart is pounding, fluttering or skipping beats. Most people will experience palpitations at some point in their life. While they may be frightening at first, they are usually harmless. However, some can be caused by serious abnormal heart rhythms (arrythmias). Your cardiologist will help you decide if your palpitations are harmless or if they need further testing.
Very important note
Some rhythm disorders can be dangerous. If you or someone you are with experiences serious symptoms such as fainting or cardiac arrest, call 911.
How do I find out what my palpitations are?
Start by talking to your primary care provider. Most likely, they will refer you to a cardiologist. Your cardiologist may order an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) in their office or an extended cardiac monitoring device that you wear between 24 hours and 2 weeks at your home. When you have the monitor placed, your nurse will tell you how to document your symptoms. You should document what day and time you have palpitations so we can see what was going on in your heart at that time.
What are the most common types of palpitations?
Most palpitations are harmless and do not require further work-up or testing. However, there are some that require treatment. Atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are two common arrythmias that cause serious palpitations.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia coming from the top chamber of the heart that causes your heart to beat irregularly and sometimes very fast. The risk of having atrial fibrillation increases as we get older. If it is found, your cardiologist will consider placing you on medications to slow the heart rate. They may also recommend blood thinners because atrial fibrillation increases your risk of developing blood clots that can cause a stroke.
At St. Mary's Hospital, we are happy to offer atrial fibrillation ablation which is an outpatient procedure using cryotherapy to freeze areas in the heart where atrial fibrillation starts. It can significantly decrease your symptoms. You can talk to your cardiologist to see if you are a good candidate for an ablation.
What is supraventricular tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a fast arrhythmia also coming from the top chambers of the heart. If episodes are short and not very frequent, you may be placed on a medication to control symptoms. You will not need blood thinners. If you have longer episodes or your symptoms are severe, your cardiologist may recommend an electrophysiology study with possible ablation (EP study).
At St. Mary's Hospital, we are is happy to offer EP studies. An EP study is an outpatient procedure where we access a vessel in the groin and feed flexible catheters (small, thin tubes) into the heart to find where your SVT is coming from. There are different types of SVT, and an EP study can determine exactly what type you have and potentially use a radiofrequency catheter to ablate that area. In some cases, chances of successfully curing the arrhythmia are as high as 95%.
What if my palpitations are not serious but I still find them frightening?
Many patients get used to the occasional palpitation and need no treatment. However, if minor palpitations are troublesome or produce too much anxiety, your cardiologist may prescribe medication to help control them.