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HEART RHYTHM
Does Every Palpitation Need Treatment?
Why rhythm documentation comes before deciding on medicines, ablation or observation.
Physician-reviewed patient informationOverview
Palpitations describe awareness of the heartbeat and do not by themselves identify the rhythm. Premature beats, normal sinus acceleration and sustained arrhythmias may feel similar.
Treatment depends on the ECG diagnosis, symptom burden, heart structure and risk. Some premature beats need only reassurance and trigger management, while selected rhythms may benefit from medicines or catheter ablation.
Do not take an extra rhythm medicine unless you have a specific episode plan. Fainting, chest pain or severe breathlessness with palpitations requires urgent assessment.
This article provides general information and does not replace examination, diagnosis or an individual treatment plan.