A racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat can be harmless in some situations and important in others. The pattern, duration, triggers and associated symptoms help determine how urgently it should be assessed.
← Health concern guides
Palpitations, chest discomfort & heart-rhythm concerns
A racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat can be harmless in some situations and important in others. The pattern, duration, triggers and associated symptoms help determine how urgently it should be assessed.
MMS plain-English explanation
Understand the concern without losing the medical meaning.
Palpitations simply mean you can feel your heartbeat unusually strongly, quickly or irregularly. They can happen with stress or stimulants, but they can also occur with heart-rhythm problems, thyroid issues, anaemia, electrolyte problems or other medical causes.
✓How long episodes last, how often they occur and what triggers them
✓Whether there is chest discomfort, breathlessness, fainting or marked dizziness
✓Medication, caffeine, alcohol, stimulant and supplement review
ECG & cardiovascular risk review
An ECG can help identify some rhythm abnormalities, but intermittent symptoms may need additional monitoring or investigation.
Thyroid / metabolic review
Thyroid problems, anaemia and electrolyte disturbances can contribute to palpitations in some patients.
This information can help you understand possibilities and prepare better questions. It does not confirm a diagnosis or make a treatment suitable for you. A qualified healthcare professional needs to review your personal symptoms, history, examination, tests, medicines and contraindications before making a medical decision.
What usually needs checking first
- ✓How long episodes last, how often they occur and what triggers them
- ✓Whether there is chest discomfort, breathlessness, fainting or marked dizziness
- ✓Medication, caffeine, alcohol, stimulant and supplement review
- ✓Pulse, blood pressure and ECG where clinically appropriate
- ✓Blood tests or longer rhythm monitoring when the clinician thinks they are needed
Seek prompt medical attention if
- !Chest pain or pressure, especially with sweating, nausea or breathlessness
- !Fainting or near-fainting with palpitations
- !Severe breathlessness or collapse
- !A sustained very fast or irregular heartbeat with significant symptoms
Topics you may discuss
Not every treatment belongs at the same evidence level.
These links are intended to help you research and prepare questions. They are not a recommendation that you undergo the treatment.
ECG & cardiovascular risk review
Established clinical pathwayAn ECG can help identify some rhythm abnormalities, but intermittent symptoms may need additional monitoring or investigation.
Read more →Thyroid / metabolic review
Assessment firstThyroid problems, anaemia and electrolyte disturbances can contribute to palpitations in some patients.
Read more →Next step
Turn research into a qualified discussion.
Bring your symptoms, history, medications, test results and questions. MMS can help organise the discussion; a qualified professional decides what assessment or treatment is appropriate.