If the palpitations occur while you are in your doctor's office, an immediate electrocardiogram can make the diagnosis. Unfortunately, most palpitations occur when a doctor is not around. This recording is then sent over the phone to the cardiologists office for interpretation. This allows the detection of abnormal heart rhythms that do not occur vary often, or do not last long. Many people feel so relieved after their doctor tells them that their palpitations are nothing to worry about that they no longer feel frightened when the palpitations occur.
Some people have frequent or prolonged runs of palpitations.
Most palpitations are just nuisances and interfere with comfortable living, but some are potentially dangerous. The latter may sometimes be more concerning in adults as they can rapidly change into a more life-threatening rhythm abnormality none as ventricular fibrillation which may cause loss of conciousness and sudden death. In children, however, the long term may be similar to supraventricular tachycardia. Although they may not be life-threatening, when they are too frequent or lengthy, these rhythm abnormalities need treatment to allow normal lifestyles and to prevent heart muscle damage. Both may be findings in normal people.