Palpitation is the awareness of heartbeats, which may feel fast, slow, irregular, or forceful.

Mnemonic: "FEAR" (Symptoms of Palpitation)

Fast or Slow Heartbeat
Erratic (Irregular) Heartbeat
Associated with Chest Discomfort
Racing or Forceful Pulsations

CAUSES OF PALPITATION

1. Heart-Related Causes

Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeats)
Valve Diseases (Mitral/Aortic Regurgitation)
Heart Failure

2. Non-Heart Causes

Anxiety, Stress, Panic Attacks
Thyroid Disorders (Hyperthyroidism)
Anemia (Low Blood)
Pregnancy
Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking

Mnemonic: "HAT CAPS" (Causes of Palpitation)

Heart Disease (Arrhythmias, Valves)
Anxiety & Stress
Thyroid Disorders
Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking
Anemia
Pregnancy
Stress

TYPES OF PALPITATIONS

1. NORMAL VARIANT (Harmless)

Sinus Tachycardia – Increased heart rate due to exercise, stress, fever, anemia, or dehydration.
Extrasystoles (Ectopic Beats) – Felt as missed beats or extra beats.

2. ARRHYTHMIC (Serious Cases)

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) – Irregular heartbeat, common in elderly, hypertension, and CAD.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) – Sudden fast heartbeat (>120/min), can cause dizziness.
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) – Dangerous! Can lead to cardiac arrest.

Mnemonic: "SAFE or DANGER"

Sinus Tachycardia = Safe
Atrial Fibrillation = Irregular, may need treatment
Fast Arrhythmias (SVT, VT) = Can be serious
Extrasystoles = Harmless but annoying

EVALUATION OF PALPITATION

• Is it continuous or intermittent?
• Is it regular or irregular?
• What is the heart rate (fast or slow)?
• Are there triggers (exercise, stress, alcohol, caffeine)?
• Are there associated symptoms (chest pain, dizziness, fainting)?

Mnemonic: "5R’s of Palpitation"

Rate (Fast or Slow)
Rhythm (Regular or Irregular)
Recurrence (Occasional or Continuous)
Related Symptoms (Chest Pain, Dizziness)
Reason (Triggers like Caffeine, Stress)

DIAGNOSIS OF PALPITATION

  ECG (Electrocardiogram) – Checks heart rhythm.
  Holter Monitor – 24-hour ECG monitoring.
  ECHO (Echocardiography) – Detects structural heart disease.
  Blood Tests – Thyroid, Anemia, Electrolytes.

Mnemonic: "HEB" (Tests for Palpitation)

Holter Monitor
ECG
Blood Tests (Thyroid, Anemia, Electrolytes)

MANAGEMENT OF PALPITATION

1. Lifestyle Changes (For Mild Cases)

Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking
Manage Stress & Anxiety
Stay Hydrated
Regular Exercise

2. Medications (If Needed)

Beta-Blockers (e.g. Metoprolol) – Slows heart rate.
Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs – For serious arrhythmias.

3. Emergency Treatment (For Serious Cases)

Cardioversion (Electric Shock) – For Atrial Fibrillation, SVT, or VT.
Pacemaker – If heart rhythm is too slow.

Mnemonic: "ABC of Palpitation Treatment"

Avoid Triggers (Caffeine, Alcohol, Stress)
Beta-Blockers (For fast heartbeats)
Cardioversion (For serious arrhythmias)

FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS

Symptoms = "FEAR" (Fast, Erratic, Associated Symptoms, Racing)
Causes = "HAT CAPS" (Heart, Anxiety, Thyroid, Caffeine, Anemia, Pregnancy, Stress)
Safe vs. Dangerous = "SAFE or DANGER"
Evaluation = "5R's" (Rate, Rhythm, Recurrence, Related Symptoms, Reason)
Tests = "HEB" (Holter, ECG, Blood tests)
Treatment = "ABC" (Avoid Triggers, Beta-Blockers, Cardioversion)

Palpitations: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Homeopathic Remedies