Some Features and Causes of Palpitations
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Feature* |
Possible Cause |
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Perception of an occasional skipped heartbeat |
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Sudden episodes of rapid heartbeats that abruptly slow to the normal rate; often in people who have had previous episodes of rapid heartbeats |
Less often ventricular tachycardia or congenital long QT syndrome |
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A constant sensation of rapid, irregular heartbeats |
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Fainting during palpitations |
Ventricular tachycardia, congenital long QT syndrome, inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, or Brugada syndrome |
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Palpitations during exercise or an emotional situation |
Sinus tachycardia (the heart's normal response to stress), particularly common in healthy people Abnormal heart rhythm caused by a decrease in blood flow triggered by exercise, more common in people who have coronary artery disease or congenital heart diseases |
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In people with a family history of fainting or sudden death |
Brugada syndrome, congenital long QT syndrome, or inherited dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy |
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In people who are bleeding, have a fever, are in pain, or have lost fluids (as may result from vomiting or diarrhea) |
Sinus tachycardia |
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Intolerance of heat, weight loss, bulging eyeballs, and tenderness and/or swelling in the front of the neck |
Sinus tachycardia or atrial fibrillation due to hyperthyroidism |
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*Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. |
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PSVT = paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. |
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