The use of a 24 hour Holter (heart) monitor to diagnose an irregular heartbeat

Dear Ask The Doctor: My heart beats irregularly. I can't tell if it's skipping beats or just beating really fast. It used to happen only once or twice a month, and now it's happening a few times a week. I'm normally not doing anything when this happens. Should I be concerned enough to go an see a doctor? Currently, I have no insurance.

Dear Laura: There are many reasons for palpitations or the sensation of irregular heartbeats. These can include premature ventricular complexes, which are generally benign, but sometimes the sensations may be caused by heart rhythm abnormalities. The only way to diagnose the cause of your symptoms is to get a heart tracing during these episodes. From the symptoms you describe, I advise attending your family doctor for a full history and clinical examination. He can perform an ECG (electrical trace of the heart) and may refer you for a 24 hour Holter (heart) monitor. This records a 24 hour electrical trace of the heart and will check for any heart rhythm abnormalities. He may also refer you to a cardiologist for specialist advice.