Palpitations

HeartCare Associates of Connecticut

Cardiovascular Specialists located in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven & Wallingford, CT

Heart palpitations, a racing, fluttering, or pounding sensation in your heart, can be a symptom of a serious underlying heart problem in some cases. However, in many other cases, palpitations aren’t serious or life-threatening. If you’re dealing with heart palpitations, it’s important to see a cardiac care specialist to find out exactly what’s causing it. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, with locations in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut, the caring cardiology team is here to help with today’s most advanced diagnostics and care. Book your appointment through the online scheduler or by phone now.

Palpitations Q & A

What are heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are a fluttering, racing, or pounding feeling in your chest that typically stems from a disturbance in your heart rhythm called an arrhythmia.

What symptoms can accompany heart palpitations?

Other symptoms that often go along with palpitations can include:

Breathing difficulties
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Chest tightness or pain
Throbbing or pounding in your neck or throat
Weakness

You could also faint when you’re experiencing palpitations, particularly if you have heart disease.

How is the cause of heart palpitations isolated?

Your HeartCare Associates of Connecticut cardiologist performs a comprehensive exam to discover the underlying cause of your heart palpitations.

Medical history is especially important when isolating the origin of your palpitations, so your cardiologist needs to know as much detail as possible about the following things.

When the palpitations started
What you were doing before the palpitations started
Whether anything relieves your symptoms
How long the palpitations last
Whether the palpitations are consistent or erratic
Family history of heart disease
Personal history of heart disease and other illnesses

There are a number of different tests for palpitations, depending on your symptoms and situation. Some of the tests you may need include:

Laboratory tests

Lab tests like a complete blood count (CBC) can help rule out palpitation causes such as metabolic imbalances and anemia.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG measures your heart’s electrical activity.

Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a portable device that does an extended ECG. You wear the monitor for 24 hours or more. If your cardiologist suspects arrhythmias, but they don’t appear on an ECG, they may show up on a Holter monitor since it records your heart activity for a full day or more.

Exercise stress test

In a nuclear cardiac scanning procedure called an exercise stress test, you walk on a treadmill while your heart activity is recorded. If you’re not healthy enough for an exercise test, your cardiologist can administer medication that mimics the effects of exercise for your stress test.

Chest X-ray

You might need a chest X-ray if you’re having breathing problems or chest pain, or if your cardiologist suspects heart disease.

HeartCare Associates of Connecticut offers the most comprehensive testing in the area. Your cardiologist determines the underlying cause of your palpitations and then prescribes a customized treatment to help you get healthy again.

Use online scheduling or call the HeartCare Associates of Connecticut office nearest you to get help for heart palpitations now.