Question Title: Cardiac event monitor

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Arrhythmia

However, the recent chest pain, determined to be musculo-skeletal in nature has increased and I have developed (or am aware of) an increasing number of palpitations and 'fluttery' feelings in the chest. In addition, I have had several anxiety/panic attacks following or during the palpitation episodes. Recently, I was given a 30 day event monitor. I have several questions:

1) Can pain and/or anxiety be the cause of the palpitations and fluttery feelings in the chest?

2) What exactly does the event monitor register?

3) How can a determination be made that the palpitations are benign?

4) In what cases are palpitations not benign?

Thank you very much for your time and this unique, interactive service. I have learned more on this forum over the past 6 weeks than from all my doctors combined.

Thanks,
Thomas

Dear Thomas

1. Yes.
2. It registers any sort of heart rhythm you are having when it is activated.
3. If the heart rhythm on the event monitor while you are having palpitations is not a dangerous heart rhythm, your cardiologist will label the rhythm as benign. This would apply to most cases of PACs and PVCs.
4. Sometimes, dangerous heart rhythms can cause palpitations, in which case the event monitor should be useful. Given your normal stress echo, this is less likely in your case.

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

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