Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on HCM!

I passed carefully through your medical history and would like to explain that, regarding your rapid/heavy heartbeat feeling (palpitations), first it is necessary to ascertain whether we have to do with any cardiac arrhythmia event or just a normal sinus tachycardia.

Coming to this point, a careful cardiac auscultation (with a stethoscope) is necessary to confirm the existing rhythm coupled with the following tests:

- a resting ECG,
- 24 to 48 hours ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter) to investigate the whole rhythm and heart rate trends through the day-night period, giving the answers to the possible presence of any arrhythmia and also its quantitative evaluation.
- complete blood count (for possible anemia, as possible cause of tachycardia),
- thyroid function tests (thyroid hormone levels, which are responsible for cardiac rhythm disturbances in case of thyroid dysfunction),
- blood electrolytes level (electrolytes imbalance may lead to arrhythmia0),
- cardiac ultrasound (ECHO) to assure that no cardiac structural abnormalities are present (valvular, cardiomyopathy, etc.),
- an exercise cardiac stress test, if sufficient suspicions are raised for cardiac ischemia disorder as a responsible factor for arrhythmia (especially if you have actually coronary risk factors, like hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, family history for coronary disease, etc.).
- liver and renal function tests

I recommend discussing with your attending doctor on the above mentioned issues in order to properly address the heart palpitations feeling.

In case you will perform the above recommended or a similar diagnostic work up, I will be happy to review your medical tests for a second professional opinion.

If you have any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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