What is the difference between palpitations and tachycardia?
Disease description:
Over the past ten days or so, my wife has constantly been complaining of chest tightness, and occasionally she feels as if her heart is about to jump out of her chest. The doctor at the county clinic diagnosed it as palpitation, but after some time, there has been no improvement. Being unconvinced, we visited a hospital in the city, where the doctor diagnosed it as arrhythmia. I would like to know the difference between arrhythmia and palpitation.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
Palpitation and heart fluttering actually have no distinct difference in medical and practical descriptions. Palpitation is a professional medical term, while heart fluttering is a more common and colloquial expression. Both refer to the uncomfortable sensation that occurs when the heart beats too fast, experiences sudden changes in rhythm, or beats irregularly.
The causes of palpitations or heart fluttering are varied and include, but are not limited to, anxiety, arrhythmia, and metabolic disturbances. This discomfort may manifest as a heavy heartbeat, a feeling that the heart is jumping out of the throat, heart pauses, or irregular heartbeats. When such symptoms occur, patients are advised to seek timely medical attention and complete relevant examinations, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Meanwhile, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and a balanced mental state can also help prevent the occurrence of palpitations and heart fluttering.
