It’s normal to have heart palpitations now and then. But when that occasional fluttering sensation or skipped beat becomes persistent, it’s time for a cardiac evaluation. David Bolon, MD, at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular in Midtown Manhattan, provides outstanding diagnostic services and treatment for conditions that affect your heart health. People also appreciate Dr. Bolon’s patient-first approach to medical care and the helpful nature of his staff. Schedule an evaluation today by calling their New York City office or requesting an appointment online.
Palpitations may make it feel like your heart is beating too quickly, fluttering, pounding, or skipping beats.
The sensation can be startling because you typically don’t feel your heart beating unless exercising vigorously or feeling particularly stressed. You may, in fact, have palpitations more frequently than you realize since they’re easy to miss.
Heart palpitations are often harmless and not related to a cardiac issue. Triggers may include:
Other more potentially serious causes of palpitations include dehydration, anemia, and overactive thyroid.
Sometimes, however, palpitations do have a cardiac cause and require further investigation and treatment to prevent complications such as heart attack and stroke.
You can generally ignore palpitations that occur occasionally and last for a few seconds.
More concerning, however, are palpitations that occur frequently, last for several minutes, or make you feel faint or uncomfortable. These may be signs of worsening heart failure, heart valve disease, or arrhythmia (irregular heart rate) that can cause serious medical complications.
Palpitations that are new and occur alongside a known history of heart disease are also more worrisome.
Seek immediate medical care if you experience palpitations along with:
Otherwise, schedule a visit at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular for persistent or frequent palpitations.
Based on the results of a physical evaluation, medical history review, and detailed discussion of your symptoms, your cardiologist may recommend further studies to identify the cause of your palpitations.
These may include:
This quick and painless in-office study provides information about your heart’s electrical activity, which controls your heart rate and rhythm. Sticky disks (electrodes) placed on your chest record your heart rate and rhythm for 60 seconds, sending the information to a nearby machine that immediately prints out a graph.
This is a longer version of an ECG, which tracks your heart activity over 1-14 days. A small sticker with a recording device is placed on the left chest wall above the breast. This small device records your heart rate and rhythm during your routine activities. You can do most normal activities with the device on, including exercise and showering.
This painless, noninvasive study uses ultrasound technology to capture images of the inner structures of your heart in motion. It can identify valve disease, heart failure, or other abnormalities responsible for palpitations.
Schedule a visit at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular today by calling their New York office or requesting an appointment online.