Oxford Heart ClinicExpert cardiology & heart rhythm care
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Symptoms

Palpitations

Private cardiology assessment for palpitations in Oxford, including racing, fluttering, skipped or irregular heartbeats.

Introduction

Palpitations are a heightened awareness of the heartbeat. They may feel like racing, fluttering, pounding, skipped beats or an irregular rhythm. The first step is to understand what you feel, when it happens and whether there are any warning signs.

Assessment and next steps

The description of an episode is important: whether it starts and stops suddenly, lasts seconds or hours, happens at rest or with exercise, and whether it is linked to caffeine, alcohol, stress, illness or a change in medication. An ECG may identify a rhythm issue, but a monitor is more useful when symptoms are intermittent.

Many palpitations are due to normal changes in heart rate or ectopic beats. If a specific rhythm is found, we discuss what it means, whether it needs treatment and how to manage episodes safely.

What might the pattern suggest?

Symptoms alone cannot diagnose a rhythm, but the pattern can help guide the next question:

  • A sudden-onset, sudden-offset racing heartbeat can be a feature of SVT.
  • An irregular sensation, or a wearable alert suggesting AF, is a reason to consider atrial fibrillation assessment.
  • Skipped beats, thumps or flutters are often linked to ectopic beats.
  • Palpitations with collapse, near-collapse, chest pain, severe breathlessness or during exercise need urgent medical assessment; do not wait for a routine clinic appointment.

Our experience

  • A 12-lead ECG or rhythm monitor may help capture the heart rhythm.
  • Extra beats are common and can be benign.
  • Chest pain, breathlessness, feeling faint or collapse need urgent assessment.

Patient note

“A good description of the sensation and timing is often as useful as a test. It helps us choose the right investigation, if one is needed.”

FAQ

When should I seek urgent help?

Call 999 if palpitations do not settle and occur with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or near-fainting.

Should I avoid exercise while I am waiting for assessment?

This depends on your symptoms and medical history. If palpitations occur with chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or during exercise, seek urgent medical advice rather than trying to manage this alone.

What can I bring to the appointment?

A symptom diary, smartwatch recordings if available, previous ECGs and a list of medicines can all be helpful.