How are palpitations diagnosed?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 28 years old and have been experiencing intermittent palpitations for the last three months. My ECG, echo, and TMT results are normal. The lipid profile shows an increased triglyceride level of 189 mg/dL. Recently, I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, for which I have been taking Levothyroxine for the past month. I sometimes feel that my heart is beating fast and loudly intermittently.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please be advised that a normal ECG, when you are not experiencing palpitations, is not diagnostic of palpitations. You will need a cardiac monitor. If the palpitations occur daily, a 24-hour cardiac monitor should be able to detect them. If they happen every two to three days, you will need a 72-hour monitor, so the cardiologist can review the ECG at the time the palpitations occur. It might be that you are simply feeling the normal heartbeats more strongly. However, it still requires investigation.

Thanks and regards.