What Are Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations are sensations of your heartbeat feeling abnormal, racing, fluttering, pounding, or skipping. They are a symptom, not a diagnosis, and may be benign or indicate an underlying heart rhythm disorder. Palpitations often occur at rest or at night, making early evaluation important.
How Patients Describe Palpitations
Common descriptions include:
Racing, Fluttering, or Pounding Heartbeat
Skipped Beats
Flip-flopping or sudden jumps
Pounding that may wake you from sleep
Episodes can last seconds to hours and may occur daily or rarely. Red-flag symptoms, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, and fainting require urgent medical attention.
Common Causes of Heart Palpitations
Palpitations can be triggered by benign or rhythm-related factors:
- Benign causes: Anxiety, caffeine, alcohol, dehydration, vigorous exercise, medications
- Heart rhythm causes: PACs/PVCs, SVT, AFib
Identifying the cause is key to safe and effective management.
How SD Premier Clinic Evaluates Palpitations
Our approach includes:
Detailed Symptom History
Physical assessment and symptom review
In-Office EKG
Immediate rhythm evaluation
Holter Monitor
For intermittent or hard-to-catch episodes
If an arrhythmia is identified, we initiate appropriate treatment. Benign causes are managed with reassurance and lifestyle guidance.
Why Choose SD Premier Clinics for Heart Palpitations?
We provide expert heart rhythm care with a focus on precision, prevention, and long-term wellness.
Timely Access
Quick evaluation and follow-up appointments
Comprehensive Care
Managing palpitations and overall heart rhythm health
Evidence-Based Treatment
Proven strategies for safe and effective management
Personalized Approach
Care tailored to your symptoms, risk factors, and lifestyle
Supportive Team
Guidance and education at every step of evaluation and treatment
Convenient Location
Easy access with free parking in South San Diego
Understand and Manage Your Heart Palpitations
Early evaluation and monitoring help manage palpitations and reduce potential complications.
FAQs
Most are harmless, but persistent or severe episodes need evaluation.
You notice them more at rest. Stress, caffeine, or dehydration can trigger them.
Yes, anxiety and stress can trigger a racing or fluttering heartbeat.
Your cardiologist reviews symptoms, performs an EKG, and may order a Holter monitor.
Depends on cause, lifestyle changes for benign cases, medications or procedures for arrhythmias.