Heart Palpitations

Palpitations are heartbeat sensations that feel like your heart is pounding or racing. Heart palpitations may also be called an irregular heartbeat, heartbeat sensations or heart pounding. You may simply have an unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat, or may feel skipped or stopped beats. The heart's rhythm may be normal or abnormal and can usually be felt in your chest, throat or neck.

The following conditions make you more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm:

• Known heart disease at the time the palpitations begin
• Significant risk factors for heart disease
• An abnormal heart valve

• An electrolyte abnormality in your blood -- for example, a low potassium level

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• EKG
• Ambulatory cardiac monitoring
• Echocardiogram
• Electrophysiology study (EPS)
• Coronary angiography
• Blood work

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of heart palpitations.

Texas Health is committed to providing quality care to heart and vascular patients throughout North Texas and beyond. While various technologies and services are discussed here, not all of our hospitals offer every treatment and diagnostic technology highlighted. Call 1-877-THR-WELL to learn more about heart and vascular services at a Texas Health hospital near you.