Evidence-Based Approach to Palpitations

Clara Weinstock; Hilary Wagner; Meghan Snuckel; Marilyn Katz

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2020.09.004

Evidence-Based Approach to Palpitations

Med Clin North Am. 2021 Jan;105(1):93-106. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.09.004.

Authors

Clara Weinstock¹, Hilary Wagner², Meghan Snuckel², Marilyn Katz²

Affiliations

¹ University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Outpatient Pavilion- 2nd Floor East, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. Electronic address: clweinstock@uchc.edu.
² University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Outpatient Pavilion- 2nd Floor East, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.

PMID: 33246525
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.09.004

Abstract

Palpitations are a common presenting symptom in primary care, yet their cause can be difficult to diagnose due to their intermittent and sometimes infrequent nature. All patients presenting with a chief complaint of palpitations should undergo a detailed history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG). This alone can yield a probable diagnosis. Limited laboratory testing, ambulatory ECG monitoring, and cardiology referral are sometimes indicated. This article reviews current data and guidelines on how to evaluate palpitations in the primary care setting.

Keywords: Ambulatory ECG; Diagnose; Heart monitor; Palpitations; Primary care; Workup.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / economics
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
Diagnosis, Differential
Electrocardiography
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
Evidence-Based Medicine
Health Care Costs
Humans
Medical History Taking
Physical Examination
Primary Health Care