Palpitations

Palpitations: Introduction

The term "palpitations" loosely means any time a person can sense their own heartbeat, and believes it to be unusual or abnormal. Thus, palpitations may be used by patients to describe racing heartbeat, rapid heart beat, slow heart beat, irregular heartbeat, and various arrhythmias.

» Review Causes of Palpitations: full list

Causes of Palpitations:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Palpitations. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Some non-disorder reasons for palpitations may include:
  • Anxiety (type of Neurosis)
  • Fear
  • Stress
  • Memory of a traumatic event - such as an association of a trauma causing a heart jump from temporary anxiety every time it's seen again.
  • Poor physical condition - may calse "palpitations" on exertion or exercise.
• Psychological disorders that may cause palpitation symptoms include:
  • Panic attack
  • Panic disorder
  • Anxiety disorders (type of Neurosis) - may types of anxiety disorders may cause palpitations from anxiety.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Sexual aversion disorder (type of Sexual dysfunction)
• Excessive caffeine
• Excessive alcohol
• Indigestion - one reader reports that indigestion leading to gas brings on palpitations
• Arrhythmias
  • Tachycardia
  • Bradycardia
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
  • Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
  • Supraventricular tachycardia
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Complete heart block (see Heart block)
  • Holiday heart syndrome - usually due to early alcohol ingestion.
  • Click-murmur syndrome
  • Digitalis-induced arrhythmia
• Heart disorders
  • Heart disease
  • Coronary artery disease
• more causes...»

See full list of 489 causes of Palpitations

» Review Causes of Palpitations: full list

Causes of Types of Palpitations:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Palpitations:

• Extra heartbeats
• Additional Heart Sounds (241 causes)
• Atrial fibrillation (77 causes)
• Bounding pulse (19 causes)
• Gallop, atrial
• Gallop, ventricular
• Loud Heart Sounds (10 causes)
• Pulse, bounding
• Soft Heart Sounds (9 causes)
• Tachycardia (181 causes)
• Bruit (5 causes)
• Bruits (15 causes)
• Cervical bruit (5 causes)
• Intracranial bruit (5 causes)
• more types...»

Review causes of types of Palpitations in more specific categories:

• Palpitations in children (25 causes)
• Palpitations during pregnancy (19 causes)
• more types...»

See full list of 17 types for Palpitations

Palpitations: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Palpitations, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

• Palpitations: Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

• Palpitations and Heart symptoms (421 causes)
• Palpitations and Heart rhythm symptoms (416 causes)
• Palpitations and Respiratory symptoms (275 causes)
• Palpitations and Breath symptoms (262 causes)
• Palpitations and Nerve symptoms (260 causes)
• Palpitations and Breathing difficulties (255 causes)
• Palpitations and Pain (248 causes)
• Palpitations and Sensations (247 causes)
• Palpitations and Muscle symptoms (241 causes)
• Palpitations and Muscle weakness (238 causes)
• Palpitations and Syncope (232 causes)
• Palpitations and Weakness (231 causes)
• Palpitations and Fatigue (214 causes)
• Palpitations and Head symptoms (206 causes)
• Palpitations and Arrhythmia (204 causes)
• Palpitations and Digestive symptoms (198 causes)
• Palpitations and Additional Heart Sounds (195 causes)
• Palpitations and Rapid heart beat (191 causes)
• Palpitations and Fainting (188 causes)
• more...»

See full list of 3360 Symptom Checker combinations related to Palpitations

Palpitations: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Palpitations:

• Dieting & Weight management: products & offers »
• Heart health products & offers »
• High cholesterol
• more product offers...»

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Heart symptoms (2296 causes)
• Heart rhythm symptoms (1418 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Palpitations

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Palpitations:

• Rapid heart beat (810 causes)
• Slow heart beat (48 causes)
• Heart rhythm symptoms (1418 causes)
• Arrthymias
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Atrial fibrillation (77 causes)
• Atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Panic attack (25 causes)
• Generalised anxiety disoreder
• Anemia (765 causes)
• Hyperthyroidism (32 causes)
• Cocaine
• Coffee
• Pheochromocytoma (15 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Diagnostic Guides for Palpitations

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Palpitations from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Palpitations. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Palpitations

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Palpitations: Self Assessment Tools

• Stroke -- Self Assessment Tools
• Heart Attack -- Self Assessment Tools
• Stress -- Self Assessment Tools
• Smoking -- Self Assessment Tools
• Weight Management -- Self Assessment Tools
• Heart Disease -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Palpitations: Medical Mistakes

• Hypertension -- Health Mistakes
• Cholesterol -- Health Mistakes
• Obesity -- Health Mistakes
• Diabetes -- Health Mistakes
• Metabolic Syndrome -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Palpitations: Undiagnosed Conditions

Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:

• Chronic Major Diseases that are commonly Undiagnosed:
  • High Cholesterol -- Undiagnosed
  • Heart Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Depression -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Hypertension -- Undiagnosed
  • Hemochromatosis -- Undiagnosed
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Hospitals & Clinics: Palpitations

Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Palpitations:

• Heart Health (Cardiac Care) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more quality ratings...»

Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »

Palpitations: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

• Cholesterol Specialists:
  • Clinical Lipidology (Cholesterol/Triglycerides)
  • Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Cardiac (Heart) Specialists:
  • Cardiology (Heart specialists)
  • Pediatric Cardiology (Child Heart Specialists)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
• more specialists...»

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

• Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
• Research Your Doctor
• View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
• Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Misdiagnosis and Palpitations

Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is altogether too common for...read more »

Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart attack,...read more »

Rare heart condition often undiagnosed: The rare heart condition called long QT syndrome can lead to episodes of palpitations and rapid heartbeat. In rare cases, this undiagnosed condition can be fatal. It should be considered for any unexplained heart rhythm...read more »

Heart attack can be over-diagnosed: Although heart attack is often undiagnosed, leading to fatality, it can also be over-diagnosed. People become concerned...read more »

Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure. The "cuff"...read more »

Hypertension misdiagnosis common in children: Hypertension is often misdiagnosed in adults (see misdiagnosis of hypertension), but its misdiagnosis is...read more »

Pheochromocytoma can mimic an anxiety attack: Pheochromocytoma is a tumour of the adrenal glands which secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines such as epinephrine and nor...read more »

Commmon case of iron deficeincy anaemia: Iron deficiency anaemia is a common cause of anaemia worldwide. It is the largest cause of microcytic hypochromic...read more »

Rapid heart rate in Wolf Parkinson White syndrome: Wolf Parkinson White syndrome can present with anything form mild chest discomfort or palpitations to severe cardiopulmonary compromise or cardiac arrest. Occasionally,...read more »

Pitfalls in diagnosing palpitations: The symptom of palpitations is suggestive of cardiac arrhythmia but may have a non- cardiac cause. Palpitations not related to emotion...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Palpitations

Palpitations: Related Rare Diseases

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases -- Rare Types:
  • High Cholesterol -- Rare Types
  • Heart Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Depression -- Rare Types
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Hypertension -- Rare Types
  • Hemochromatosis -- Rare Types
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diagnostic tests for Palpitations:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Palpitations. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Note pulse rate, rhythm and regularity. If rate is over 150 beats per minute may suggest paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. If rate is less than 150 beats per minute it is more likely to be sinus tachycardia which can be associated with exercise, fever, drugs or hyperthyroidism
  • Temperature (if fever is present with enlarged heart and heart murmur must consider bacterial endocarditis; fever itself may cause tachycardia)
  • Blood pressure. If blood pressure is high may suggest phaeochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism
• more tests...»

See full list of 24 diagnostic tests for Palpitations

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Palpitations. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you had palpitations? - to determine if acute or chronic.
• Describe exactly what you mean by palpitations? - Palpitations are an unpleasant awareness of the beating of the heart, it does not always imply "racing" of the heart.
• Do the palpitations start suddenly?
• How long do the palpitations last?
• Are you able to tap out on the desk the rhythm and rate of the heartbeat experienced during an "attack" of palpitations? - e.g. an irregular tapping "all over the place" suggests atrial fibrillation; an isolated thump or jump followed by a definite pause on a background of a regular pattern indicates premature beats (ectopics/extrasystoles) usually of a ventricular origin.
• more questions...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Palpitations (26 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Palpitations) may include:

• Chest pain during an attack of palpitations? - may indicate angina, heart attack, aortic stenosis.
• Shortness of breath during an attack of palpitations? - may indicate anxiety with hyperventilation (rapid breathing), mitral stenosis or cardiac failure.
• Dizziness or faintness during an attack of palpitations? - indicates a more severe arrhythmia such as sick sinus syndrome, complete heart block, aortic stenosis or associated cerebrovascular disease.
• Fever? - e.g. must consider bacterial endocarditis, rheumatic fever. A fever itself (from any cause) may cause a sinus tachycardia (increased heart rate) which may be experienced as palpitations.
• Passing copious amounts of urine after an attack of palpitations? - is characteristic of paroxysmal Supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
• more symptoms...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Palpitations (26 listings)

Home Diagnostic Testing and Palpitations

Home medical tests possibly related to Palpitations:

• High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
  • Home Blood Pressure Hypertension Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests
• Heart Health: Home Testing:
  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Blood Pressure Testing
  • Home Cholesterol Testing
• more tests...»

Stories from Users for Palpitations

Real-life user stories relating to Palpitations:

• No heartbeat
• Heart Palpitations
• Shortness of breath+heart palpitations
• Heart Palpitations and Intestinal Problems
• Heart Problem? Palpitation? Does anyone know???
• runnung out of time 25yr old father
• Is time runnung out??
• Pressure in head / Stomach problems / Heart palpitations
• Fatigue, Heart Palpitations, Fainting
• Heart palpitations
• Can the heart palpitations be due to stress/anxiety?
• Pounding And Palpitations Cant Go Nowere
• heartbeat
• Palpitations
• Heart palpatations??
• heart palpitations, alcohol & hydrocodone
• Funny heart sensation
• Palpitations
• heart palpations
• Palpitations

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Palpitations or relevant symptoms:

• Neurological (Nerves) (606)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Eye twitch
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • So many symptoms but no diagnosis...GGRRR
  • More user stories
• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (333)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Palpitations, inner left arm pain
  • Hand numbness
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • More user stories

Videos for Palpitations

Patient Surveys for Palpitations

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Palpitations
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Causes of Palpitations listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Palpitations as a symptom include:

• Anagrelide
• Functional disorders
• Glatiramer acetate
• Menopause
• more causes...»

See full list of 489 causes of Palpitations
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Palpitations:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Palpitations as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Certain drugs
• Caffeine
• Stimulants
• Tobacco
• Snuff
• more causes...»

See full list of 1116 medications causing Palpitations

Drug interactions causing Palpitations:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Palpitations as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Dymelor and alcohol interaction
• Diabinese and alcohol interaction
• Amaryl and alcohol interaction
• Glucotrol and alcohol interaction
• Glucotrol XL and alcohol interaction
• DiaBeta and alcohol interaction
• Glynase PresTab and alcohol interaction
• Micronase and alcohol interaction
• more interactions...»

See full list of 1403 drug interactions causing Palpitations

Article Excerpts about Palpitations

"Extra" heartbeats, also called palpitations, or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) happen when there is irritation in the lower part of the heart’s pumping chambers. PVCs interrupt the normal heart rhythm and cause an irregular beat that can feel like a "missed beat" or a "flip-flop" in the chest. This can be harmless or it may lead to problems that are more serious. (Source: excerpt from HEART AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: NWHIC)

"Extra" heartbeats, also called palpitations, or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) happen when there is irritation in the lower part of the heart’s pumping chambers. PVCs interrupt the normal heart rhythm and cause an irregular beat that can feel like a "missed beat" or a "flip-flop" in the chest. This can be harmless or it may lead to problems that are more serious. (Source: excerpt from HEART AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: NWHIC)

Definitions of Palpitations:

Palpitations; unpleasant sensation of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart.
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Organs affected by Palpitations:

The list of organs typically affected by Palpitations may include, but is not limited to:

• Heart

Detailed list of causes of Palpitations

The list below shows some of the causes of Palpitations mentioned in various sources:

• Accelerated hypertension - heart palpitations
• Acid-Base Imbalance - bounding pulse
• Acute anxiety attack
• Acute intermittent porphyria - tachycardia
• Acute leukaemia of ambiguous lineage - palpitations
• Acute megacaryoblastic leukemia - palpitations
• more causes...»

See full list of 489 causes of Palpitations

How Common are these Causes of Palpitations?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Palpitations. Of the 489 causes of Palpitations that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 9 causes are "very common" diseases
• 17 causes are "common" diseases
• 3 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 1 causes are "rare" diseases
• 16 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 464 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 489 causes of Palpitations

Conditions listing symptoms: Palpitations:

The following list of conditions have 'Palpitations' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

A

Causes of Palpitations Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Palpitations based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: