Palpitations

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Palpitations (pal-pi-TAY-shuns) are pounding or racing feelings in your heart. You may become suddenly aware of your heartbeat, or feel that your heartbeat is not normal. You may feel skipped beats (pauses), extra beats, a "flip-flopping" sensation, or a flutter in your chest. Palpitations may be frightening, but are usually not a serious problem.
  
  
• Palpitations may be caused by nicotine in cigarettes, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, or exercising too hard. Stress or anxiety may also cause you to have heart palpitations. Sometimes palpitations may be caused by heart problems or certain medicines. Treatment depends on what is causing the palpitations and the symptoms you may have. Living a healthier lifestyle, decreasing stress, and getting plenty of rest may help. Palpitations caused by certain medical problems may need medicines to treat.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

For most people, palpitations are not dangerous. However, it is important to be seen by a caregiver if you have new or worsening symptoms. Without treatment, you could have more episodes of heart palpitations. Some palpitations may be caused by serious heart rhythm problems. If these problems are left untreated, it can increase your chance of heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Rarely, palpitations are caused by health problems that may be serious, even life threatening. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Activity:

You may need to rest in bed until your symptoms are under control. Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away. Then use the call button to call a caregiver.

Call button:

You may use the call button when you need your caregiver. Pain, trouble breathing, or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call. The call button should always be close enough for you to reach it.

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Tests:

You may need one or more of the following tests. The results of these tests help caregivers plan the best way to treat you.

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Cardiac catheterization: This is a test to see how well your heart is working. Your arteries (blood vessels) may also be checked to see if they are blocked. A special tube is threaded into your heart through a blood vessel in your leg or arm. Dye may be given so x-ray pictures of your arteries show up better on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
  
  
• Echocardiogram: This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.
  
  
• Electrophysiologic study: An electrophysiologic study, or EPS, is used to "map out" the electrical pathways in your heart that control your heartbeat. Readings are taken through small wires that are fed through a blood vessel in your arm, neck, chest, or groin to your heart. Your doctor can also use these wires to trigger your heart rhythm problem, and find the best way to treat it.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.
  
  
• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Never turn the pulse oximeter or alarm off. An alarm will sound if your oxygen level is low or cannot be read.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Tilt table test: If you have problems with fainting, you may need a tilt table test. This test checks to see what happens to your heart and your blood pressure when you change positions.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Treatment Options:

Your treatment may change if your symptoms are not being controlled. Treatment may also depend on what is causing your heart palpitations. This is often decided after you have tests. You may have some of the following treatments alone or together.

• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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