Symptoms - Palpitations

An abnormal awareness of heart beats is called palpitations. They are very common. Palpitations may affect people of all ages. In younger people they are very commonly caused by extra heart beats, called ectopic beats. They are not at all dangerous. Less commonly longer lasting fast heart beats occur, due to a problem with the electrical wiring of the heart. They may cause unpleasant symptoms but are rarely dangerous and can be successfully treated. Although seen in patients of all ages, in older patients an irregular tachycardia, called atrial fibrillation, is particularly common. This condition is important to recognise as treatment can reduce the symptoms, and also reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke. Much more rarely a special type of tachycardia is seen in patients who have suffered a heart attack in the past. This type of tachycardia can be dangerous and requires urgent investigation and treatment. See diagnosis section, arrhythmias.