Palpitation: Extended Electrocardiogram Monitoring: Which Tests to Use and When.

Abstract

Palpitation is common. It is often accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, near syncope, and even syncope. It may be difficult to confirm a diagnosis in patients with infrequent symptoms. Several tools are available to document arrhythmias in the workup of a patient with palpitation, including 24-hour Holter monitoring, 30-day external continuous monitoring, and implantable loop recorders. A number of private companies are now able to empower patients to monitor heart rates and even give accurate rhythm strips. This article reviews the current data on how to make the diagnosis and which tools to use in the primary care setting.