Palpitations

Peak Heart & Vascular

Multispecialty Cardiovascular Group located in Laveen, Surprise, Avondale, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, AZ

When you’re having disturbing heart palpitations, you should seek the expertise of a full-service provider of diagnostic and interventional cardiology. The skilled team at Peak Heart & Vascular in Laveen, Surprise, Avondale, Flagstaff, and Phoenix, Arizona, offers the evaluation and screening tests to determine if the palpitations are associated with a serious medical condition. If you’re having unusual fluttering or pounding in your heart, call the offices to set up an appointment or book online today.

Palpitations Q & A

What are heart palpitations?

A fluttering, fast-beating heart can feel extraordinarily concerning. You might even feel the flip-flopping of your heart in your throat or neck as well as in your chest.

Usually, heart palpitations are harmless, but because they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, it’s important to undergo an evaluation with an expert provider like those at Peak Heart & Vascular. The doctors can rule out an issue, such as arrhythmia, and give you a clean bill of health or offer treatment.

What causes heart palpitations?

The most common reasons you’d experience heart palpitations are due to strenuous exercise, stress, anxiety, or some medications or stimulants. Sometimes, the reason you’re experiencing heart palpitations is unknown.

You may also have heart palpitations due to:

  • Fever
  • Thyroid hormone imbalances
  • Hormone changes associated with pregnancy, menstrual period, or menopause

Heart palpitations can signal a serious problem such as an arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm. 

When should I seek medical care for heart palpitations?

If your palpitations occur infrequently and disappear after a few seconds, you probably don’t need an evaluation. But, if you have a history of heart disease, have frequent palpitations, or find that they increase in frequency or worsen with time, make an appointment at Peak Heart & Vascular.

Emergency care is warranted if your heart palpitations are accompanied by:

  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Fainting
  • Severe dizziness
  • Shortness of breath

Don’t wait for an appointment at Peak Heart & Vascular if you suspect you’re experiencing a severe heart incident. Go to the emergency room.

Why should persistent heart palpitations concern me?

A rapidly beating heart can cause your blood pressure to drop, and you faint. This is more likely if you have congenital heart disease or certain valve problems.

Heart palpitations can also occur when you’re going into cardiac arrest, although rare.

A stroke can result from heart palpitations that are due to atrial fibrillation. With this condition, the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beat regularly. This can cause a blood clot to form and break loose, causing a stroke.

How are heart palpitations evaluated and treated?

If Peak Heart & Vascular suspects your heart palpitations are caused by arrhythmia or other heart conditions, you receive screening tests, such as:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Holter monitoring
  • Event recording
  • Echocardiogram
  • Loop Recorder

The team at Peak Heart & Vascular might also suggest a loop recorder, which is an implantable device that stays with you to monitor your heart 24/7. The device can be implanted in the office. 

If these screenings reveal a condition, such as an arrhythmia, your doctor focuses on offering the best treatment for your needs. That may include medications, lifestyle modifications, a pacemaker, or other procedures.

If you’re concerned about heart palpitations, call Peak Heart & Vascular to set up an evaluation or book online right away.

Rx Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR)