Cardiology_Palpitations

Question 1

DDx of palpitations

Answer 1

• cardiac arrhythmias
– supraventricular/ventricular ectopic beats
– supraventricular/ventricular tachycardias
– bradyarrhythmias
– anomalies in pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) functioning
• structural heart disease
– valvular disease
– congenital heart diseases with significant shunt – cardiomyopathys
– anxiety
– depression
– somatisation disorders
• systemic disorders
– hyperthyroidism
– hypoglycaemia
– high output states (eg fever, anaemia) – phaechromocytoma
• medication
– withdrawal of beta blockers
– anticholinergics
– sympathomimetic agents in pump inhalers
• lifestyle
– caffeine
– alcohol
– nicotine
– amphetamines
– cannabis
– cocaine
– heroin
– other illicit drugs.