Palpitations are a common reason for cardiology visits. They are often benign, but in some cases can indicate an arrhythmia that requires specialized assessment.
What are palpitations?
Patients describe them as fast beats, irregular beats, skipped beats, or strong pounding. Episodes may last seconds to minutes and happen at rest or with activity.
Common causes (not always dangerous)
- ●Stress or anxiety
- ●Too much caffeine
- ●Sleep deprivation
- ●Dehydration
- ●Alcohol or tobacco use
Red flags
- ●Fainting or near-fainting
- ●Chest pain
- ●Severe shortness of breath
- ●Sustained very high heart rate
- ●Known structural heart disease
If palpitations come with chest pain, fainting, or severe breathing difficulty, call 911 and seek emergency care.
Which tests help?
Depending on the case, your cardiologist may recommend office ECG, 24-48h Holter monitoring, echocardiogram, and selected blood tests.
At ElderCardio, palpitations are evaluated with a structured approach to determine whether they are benign or need targeted treatment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical consultation. Always consult a qualified cardiologist for diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions.
Dr. Elders Jimenez Iglesias
Cardiologist · Nuclear Cardiology
Professional License: 13819257 · Specialty: 12543211
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