Evaluation Of The Patient With Palpitations And Non-life-threatening Cardiac Arrhythmias

Palpitations are a frequent but relatively nonspecific cardiac symptom. Palpitations are not a reliable indicator of any particular cardiovascular finding or arrhythmia Palpitations are clinically important when there is associated functional incapacity or concern of the patient, when they cause severe hemodynamic sequelae, or serve as harbingers of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in selected patients. A thorough history, physical examination, and judicious use of laboratory testing usually guides management. Management must encompass the nature and severity of the palpitations, the patient’s general medical and cardiac conditions, the mechanism of the arrhythmia, and an algorithm for risk stratification.