Palpitations Captured by a Patient Activated Recorder

Dear Ask The Doctor: I get palpitations,feel like my heart is jumping out of me, feel faint,see stars, feel nauseated. This happens about once in a few months and lasts a few hours ... why ?

Dear Li: There are many reasons for palpitations. 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. As your symptoms only occur once every few months, a 24 hour recorder may not capture when you experience symptoms, and a patient activated recorder may be appropriate in your case.