Which Tests Are Performed in a Check-Up for Palpitations?

Palpitations are the feeling that the heart is beating faster, irregularly, strongly, or differently than normal. Sometimes they may occur temporarily after stress, intense caffeine consumption, sleeplessness, or exercise. However, palpitations that recur frequently, occur at rest, or are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting sensation should definitely be evaluated.

A check-up may provide an important starting point to understand possible underlying causes of palpitations. In addition to tests related to heart rhythm, thyroid functions, anemia, electrolyte balance, blood sugar, and vitamin-mineral values may also be examined in palpitations. Because palpitations may not originate only from the heart; metabolic, hormonal, or blood value-related conditions may also trigger this feeling.

In people with palpitations, check-up results are not used alone to make a diagnosis. Findings should be evaluated together with the person’s age, duration of complaints, family history, medication use, lifestyle, and accompanying symptoms. Therefore, test results should be interpreted with specialist physician evaluation.

What Causes Palpitations?

Palpitations may develop due to many different reasons. In some cases, temporary changes in heart rhythm may cause palpitations, while in others, thyroid diseases, anemia, stress, mineral imbalances, or medications used may lead to palpitations.

When the person feels palpitations, how long they last, in which situations they increase, and whether other symptoms accompany them are important for evaluation. Especially in recurrent palpitations or those that affect daily life, examining the general health picture with a check-up may be useful.

The main causes that may lead to palpitations are:

• Heart rhythm disorders: Rhythm changes related to the electrical system of the heart may cause palpitations.
• Thyroid function disorders: Excessive thyroid hormone activity may increase heart rate.
• Anemia: Low hemoglobin may cause the heart to work faster.
• Electrolyte imbalances: Potassium, magnesium, and calcium imbalances may affect rhythm.
• Caffeine and energy drinks: Excessive consumption may increase the feeling of heartbeat.
• Stress and anxiety: Nervous system activation may trigger the feeling of palpitations.
• Low blood sugar: Long fasting or irregular eating may cause a feeling of palpitations.

Which Tests Should Be Checked In A Check-Up For Palpitations?

The scope of a check-up for palpitations may vary according to the person’s symptoms and risk status. In addition to tests evaluating heart rhythm, blood values, thyroid functions, and mineral balance may also be examined.

If palpitations recur frequently, wake the person from sleep at night, increase with exertion, or are accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, more detailed evaluation may be required. Test selection should be planned according to the person’s clinical condition.

Tests that may be evaluated in palpitations include:

• ECG: It is one of the basic tests used to evaluate heart rhythm and electrical activity.
• Holter rhythm monitoring: It may be used to detect intermittent palpitations during the day.
• Complete blood count: It helps show conditions such as anemia or infection.
• TSH, Free T3, and Free T4: It enables evaluation of thyroid functions.
• Electrolytes: Potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium balance are important for rhythm.
• Fasting blood sugar: Blood sugar imbalances may affect the feeling of palpitations.
• Ferritin and iron: They are guiding in terms of iron deficiency and anemia.
• Vitamin B12: It may be evaluated in terms of the nervous system and blood production.

Why Is ECG Important For Heart Rhythm?

ECG is one of the most basic tests in palpitations evaluation. It shows the electrical activity of the heart in a short time and provides initial information about rhythm disorders. Findings may not be captured on ECG during every palpitation; however, it is still an important test in initial evaluation.

If palpitations occur intermittently, they may not be seen during a short ECG. In this case, longer rhythm monitoring may be required. Especially if complaints come and go during the day, monitoring methods such as Holter may provide more detailed information.

ECG may provide information about:

• Whether the heart rate is within the normal range
• Whether there is irregularity in rhythm
• Whether there is a significant change in the electrical conduction of the heart
• Whether the palpitation complaint is related to rhythm
• Whether further cardiology evaluation is required if necessary

Do Thyroid Values Affect Palpitations?

Thyroid hormones may affect metabolic rate and heart rate. When the thyroid gland works excessively, the person may experience palpitations, sweating, weight loss, nervousness, trembling hands, and intolerance to heat.

Therefore, thyroid tests such as TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 may be evaluated in palpitations. In suspected thyroid-related palpitations, test results should be interpreted together with the person’s symptoms.

The points considered in thyroid evaluation are:

• TSH level
• Free T3 and Free T4 values
• Weight change accompanying palpitations
• Presence of sweating, tremor, or nervousness
• History of thyroid nodule or thyroid disease
• Thyroid medications used

Can Anemia And Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Palpitations?

Anemia may make it difficult to carry enough oxygen to the body. In this case, the heart may work faster to meet the oxygen need of the tissues, and the person may feel palpitations. Iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, or folate deficiency may be related to anemia.

If palpitations are accompanied by fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or getting tired easily, complete blood count and iron stores should be evaluated. These values help understand whether palpitations are related not only to heart rhythm but also to blood values.

Values that may be evaluated in this process include:

• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• Ferritin
• Serum iron
• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• MCV and MCH values

When Is More Detailed Evaluation Needed In Palpitations?

Palpitations may be short-term and temporary. However, if some symptoms accompany them, more detailed evaluation is required. Especially chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations that increase with exertion should be considered.

If there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death at an early age, the person should be evaluated more carefully. The frequency, duration, and triggers of palpitations are also important in the follow-up process.

Situations that may require more detailed evaluation include:

• Frequent recurrence of palpitations
• Occurring together with chest pain
• Fainting or feeling as if about to faint
• Accompanying shortness of breath
• Significant increase with exertion
• Waking from sleep at night
• Family history of rhythm disorder or heart disease
• Accompanying high blood pressure or thyroid disease

Follow Your Heart Health More Consciously With Happ Health Check-Up

Palpitations may sometimes be related to lifestyle factors, while sometimes they may be caused by different reasons such as heart rhythm, thyroid, anemia, or mineral balance. Therefore, regular and comprehensive evaluation is an important step in understanding the cause of the complaint.

Happ Health, as a digital health platform, offers a solution that facilitates access to check-up processes. If you have palpitations, you can follow your general health status more consciously with ECG, blood tests, thyroid evaluation, and other tests deemed necessary.

Instead of postponing your palpitation complaint, with Heart Health Check-Up Package you can plan your check-up process through Happ Health and interpret your results more accurately with specialist evaluation.