DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Rapid heart beat

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: Constant rapid heart beat (tachycardia) may signify hyperthyroidism, fever or overuse of caffeine and other drugs. Intermittent rapid heart beat is more likely related to a heart arrhythmia.

Why: There is a normal heart rate increase as a response to various situations such as exercise, exertion, large meal, emotion, nervousness, anxiety, stress, worry, excitement and anger.

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

Why: Many medications may cause rapid heart beat 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); thyroid medications; some appetite suppressants; ventolin; theophylline; hydralazine; minoxidil.

Why: e.g. MSG in Chinese food may precipitates a racing heart beat in some people.

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

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

Why: e.g. cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines - may cause rapid heart beat and palpitations.

Why: some people are sensitive to effects of caffeine and experience rapid heart beat and persistent or intermittent palpitations.

Why: Palpitations do not always imply "racing" of the heart.

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

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

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

Why: Fever itself may cause a rapid heart beat, but must consider bacterial endocarditis and 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, rapid heart rate, 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: recurrent panic attacks occur in Panic disorder and may cause sudden, unexpected, short-lived episodes of intense anxiety.

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.