Palpitations Specialist in London

What are palpitations?

Palpitations are the uncomfortable awareness of your own heartbeat. People describe them in many ways: a flutter, a thump, a skipped beat, a fish flopping in the chest or a sudden burst of racing. They can last seconds or hours, occur at rest or with exertion, and may be entirely benign or the first sign of an important heart rhythm disturbance.

Common causes range from ectopic (extra) beats and sinus tachycardia to atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia. Less commonly, palpitations point to ventricular arrhythmias that need urgent attention. Catching the rhythm during a symptomatic episode is the single most useful step in working out what is happening, and modern monitoring makes this much easier than it used to be.

Symptoms and when to see a specialist

Occasional skipped beats are usually harmless, but palpitations that are frequent, prolonged, exertional or associated with other symptoms deserve specialist review. A timely diagnosis is reassuring when the rhythm is benign and life-changing when it is not.

• Sudden, fast and regular palpitations that start and stop abruptly
• Irregular palpitations lasting more than a few minutes
• Palpitations triggered by exertion rather than relieved by it
• Episodes associated with dizziness, breathlessness, chest pain or fainting
• A family history of arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death
• Abnormal rhythms detected by a smartwatch, fitness tracker or GP ECG

Our approach

Dr Ahran Arnold is a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist whose entire clinical practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. He performs catheter ablation and device implantation at Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals and sees outpatients at OneWelbeck Heart Health, with academic appointments at Imperial College London. This combination of NHS tertiary practice, private outpatient care and ongoing research means you benefit from the latest evidence and techniques applied with care to your individual situation.

The first consultation focuses on capturing your story in detail, reviewing any wearable or device data you already have, and choosing the right rhythm monitor to pin down the diagnosis. Where treatment is needed, options range from simple lifestyle changes and medication to curative ablation procedures, all explained clearly and decided together with you.

Tests we may recommend

The aim is to record your heart rhythm while you are having symptoms. The right monitor depends on how often episodes occur, and most investigations can be arranged on site at OneWelbeck.

• 12-lead ECG and exercise ECG
• 24-hour, 7-day or 14-day ambulatory ECG monitoring
• Patient-activated event recorders and review of smartwatch rhythm strips
• Implantable loop recorder for very infrequent but significant symptoms
• Echocardiogram to assess heart structure
• Blood tests including thyroid function, electrolytes and full blood count