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Palpitations & rhythm reports: in plain language

Understand what a heart monitor recorded and what to ask next.

The basic idea

Palpitations are the feeling of a pounding, fluttering, racing, or skipped heartbeat. The sensation alone does not identify its cause. An ECG or a longer rhythm recording can help your clinician connect symptoms with what the heart was doing at the time.

A review can translate an existing report and explain what was documented during that recording. Your treating team decides whether more evaluation is needed, especially if symptoms change or were not captured.

General background: NHLBI: diagnosing rhythm problems (opens in a new tab); NHLBI: arrhythmia symptoms (opens in a new tab). Content prepared September 21, 2026.

Questions worth bringing to your team

  • What rhythm was recorded when I pressed the symptom button?
  • What do PACs, PVCs, and burden mean in this report?
  • Did the monitor capture the episodes I am most concerned about?
  • What questions remain after the monitor and other tests?
  • What follow-up and symptom instructions has my clinician given me?

How a review can help

We can explain the terms in the written reports and the options your treating team has already documented. We help you separate what the notes answer from what still needs discussion.

Useful records to gather

The complete rhythm-monitor report, symptom diary if available, ECG report, cardiology note, medication list, and any relevant existing echo or lab reports.

Use the complete records checklist

See a sample review

“My monitor says rare extra beats. What happened when I felt the flutter?”

Read the sample case

A focused review, for $350

Up to 40 relevant pages, a 30-minute phone or video call with a physician, a plain-language summary, and questions for your team. Completed within 48 hours of acceptance, payment, and complete records. Adults in New York.

Request a review
$350 · Phone or videoRequest a review