What are palpitations?

[brucey]

Hi all. What do you mean when you say you get 'palpitations'? Is it a run of ectopics? A racing heart? Something different? I'd be really interested in what you mean. Thx

[nomorepanic]

This may help...

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/palpitations/

[brucey]

That seems to be more about ectopics. I'd be really interested in everyone's own definition of 'palpitations'. Thanks

[xfilme]

I spent ages looking into it when I kept having my doctors refer to differnt things as palpitations. The best answer I have found after reading numerous books on it, is that 'palpatations' are anything to do with heart function that you become aware of. If you notice anything relating to your heart, runs of ectopics, fast heartbeat, slow, fluttering etc, they are all palpitations. Its a word used in the medical profession as a generalisation, to cover many patients varying descriptions of heart sensations.