Palpitations

Question 1

Cardio Causes

Answer 1

• AD
• SVT
• VT
• HOCM
• Ventricular Ectopics
• Pacemaker failure

Question 2

Endocrine Causes

Answer 2

• Hypoglycaemia
• Hyperthyroid
• Phaechromocytoma

Question 3

Psychiatric Causes

Answer 3

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder

- Simple Anxiety

Question 4

Other

Answer 4

• Fever

- Excessive caffiene intake

Question 5

Beside Ix

Answer 5

ECG
- Arrythmia/long QT (torsades VT)

Urine dip

Question 6

Bloods

Answer 6

FBC (anaemia, WCC)
TFTs (high)
BM (diabetes, hypo)
UEs (K+ causing arrhythmia)
Mg and Ca (low = long QT: torsades)

Question 7

Imaging

Answer 7

ECHO

• HOCM
• Valve disease

CXR - rule out pneumonia

Question 8

Special Tests

Answer 8

24 hour tape for arrhythmia

Question 9

Fam Hx

Answer 9

• Cardiac death in the young
• IHD, CVD
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune e.g. thyroid

Question 10

RED FLAGS

Answer 10

• Young, fam hx of sudden death
• Cardiac collapse (black out, no warning)
• LOC/SOB on extertion

Question 11

Social Hx

Answer 11

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Recreational drug use (ecstasy, cocaine)
• Diet, caffiene intake

Question 12

System R/v

Answer 12

• Chest pain, SOB
• LOC/collapse
• Thyroid: heat, bowels, skin

Question 13

PMHx

Answer 13

• Recent infection (AF)
• Previous episodes (SVT)
• Pacemaker
• Mood/prev mental health

Question 14

Drug Hx

Answer 14

• Hypoglycaemics
• BP meds
• CVD meds