To ascertain whether you have palpitations, your doctor will listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope and ask about your medical history. During the checkup, they might also look for signs of what could be causing the palpitations. The diagnosis of palpitations can be in ways more than one.
What are the Diagnoses for Heart Palpitations?
In situations where your doctor believes palpitations are connected to an irregular heartbeat, they may advise additional tests.
The differential diagnoses for heart palpitations include:
ECG:
This simple and painless test checks how the heart's electrical activity. Electrodes are fitted on the chest and sometimes on the arms and legs. Wires connect the patches to a computer that shows the results. The test, called an electrocardiogram (ECG), can tell if the heart is beating too slow, too fast, or not at all.Holter monitoring:
This small device is worn for a day or more to keep track of your heart's beats during everyday routines. It helps spot palpitations differential diagnosis that might not show up in regular checkups. Some personal gadgets, such as smartwatches, can also check your heart from a distance.Event recording:
If your heart doesn't do strange things while using a Holter monitor, or if nothing much is happening, your doctor may ask you to use an event recorder. You press a button when you feel the symptoms. You wear the event recorder for around 30 days or until your heart acts up.Echodiagram:
This test, using sound waves, creates pictures of your heart that move. It helps find problems with how your heart is built or how blood flows.
Conclusion
If your heart is racing, and you're really out of breath, feel chest pain, or almost faint, get emergency help. If your heart flutters for a short time without other big concerns, make an appointment with your doctor as it might be a sign of a more serious heart problem. Also, be prepared with a comprehensive health insurance policy as it may be of significant assistance when there is a financial shortage for medical expenses.