DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Heart rhythm symptoms

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: Palpitations are an unpleasant awareness of the beating of the heart, it does not always imply "racing" of the heart.

Why: Constant problems may signify tachycardia, and that would signify hyperthyroidism, fever or overuse of caffeine and other drugs. Intermittent problems are more likely related to a heart arrhythmia.

Why: e.g. MSG in Chinese food, exercise, anxiety, stress, worry.

Why: palpitations in pregnancy are not uncommon.

Why: e.g. Rheumatic fever, heart attack, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, stroke (atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke 5 fold).

Why: e.g. nasal decongestants; digoxin; almost all anti-arrhythmic drugs (medications taken for abnormal heart rhythms) may worsen existing arrhythmias or provoke new arrhythmias in some people (such as amiodarone, sotalol, verapamil, diltiazem, procainamide, disopyramide, quinidine, lignocaine, flecainide and beta -blockers).

Why: some people are sensitive to effects of alcohol and experience palpitations as a side effect.

Why: some people are sensitive to effects of nicotine and experience palpitations.

Why: e.g. cocaine, marijuana - may cause palpitations.

Why: may indicate angina, heart attack, aortic stenosis.

Why: may indicate anxiety with hyperventilation (rapid breathing), mitral stenosis, cardiac failure.

Why: indicates a more severe arrhythmia such as sick sinus syndrome, complete heart block, aortic stenosis or associated cerebrovascular disease.

Why: e.g. must consider bacterial endocarditis, rheumatic fever.

Why: is characteristic of paroxysmal Supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).

Why: e.g. palpitations, increased heart rate, preference for cooler weather, increased appetite, weight loss, increased sweating, tremor, nervousness, irritability, diarrhea, lack of menstrual periods, frequent urination.

Why: e.g. palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles and lower legs.

Why: e.g. nervousness, shakiness, tremor, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration, heart palpitations, racing heart, sweating, dizziness, diarrhea, lump in throat and frequency of urination.

Why: e.g. paroxysmal episodes of headache, pallor, sweating, chest tightness, tremor and heart palpitations.

Why: e.g. hot flushes, night sweats, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, dry vaginal, dry skin, headaches and sometimes diffuse hair loss.