Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are an unusual awareness of the heartbeat, such as pounding, fluttering, racing or feeling that beats are skipped. They can occur for several reasons, including rhythm disturbances and non-heart causes. Symptoms alone do not establish the cause. Palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting need urgent assessment.

What details help identify the pattern?

Note whether the heartbeat starts and stops suddenly, feels regular or irregular, and lasts seconds or longer. Mention exercise, stress, caffeine, alcohol, illness and new medicines. If you have a wearable recording, bring it, but do not treat an app's interpretation as a final diagnosis.

Tell the doctor about dizziness, blackouts, chest discomfort and any family history of sudden unexplained death. Do not omit episodes just because they have stopped by the appointment. A rhythm problem can be intermittent and may not appear during a brief examination.

For the Australian guidance behind this explanation, see Healthdirect Australia: Heart palpitations - symptoms and causes - Healthdirect Australia.

What tests might be used?

A clinician may check your pulse, examine you and arrange an ECG or blood tests. Longer monitoring may be considered when symptoms come and go. The test chosen depends on how often episodes occur and the clinical concern.

Ask what to do if another episode happens and whether there are activities you should avoid while waiting for results. Do not change prescribed treatment or take someone else's medicine to slow the heart. If no cause is found initially but symptoms continue, arrange follow-up rather than assuming they are necessarily anxiety.

When should I call 000?

Call 000 if palpitations occur with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or significant light-headedness. Persistent rapid heartbeat with marked illness also needs urgent care. Telehealth can help review a stable history or results, but acute symptoms may require an ECG and direct assessment. Do not wait for a routine online slot if you feel unsafe or are deteriorating.

Where to go next

Read online doctor consultations to understand the relevant service. A doctor decides whether a consultation, examination, referral or another pathway is appropriate for your situation.