Diagnosis
In order to detect heart stumbling safely, an ECG (electrocardiogram) must be written. This can be done by the family doctor. Heart stumbling occurs in many people.
However, it often occurs only at irregular intervals, so it is not always easy to catch it in an ECG that only lasts a few seconds. An extension of the ECG is the long-term ECG, in which an ECG is taken over 24 hours. The probability of seeing extrasystoles is therefore somewhat higher.
In addition to the ECG, the medical history of a patient who complains of a heart stumble should always be carefully taken. Important questions are, for example, whether there are any previous illnesses, whether there is any heart disease in the family, when the heart stumbling occurs, whether there is any drug or alcohol consumption and which medications are being taken. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the heart, a so-called echocardiography, can be performed.
This can usually be performed by the outpatient cardiologist. Here one can see whether the heart is pumping sufficiently, whether the heart valves are functioning and whether there is any structural damage, for example cardiomyopathy. A blood sample can also be taken, for example to check the blood salts (electrolytes), and the thyroid gland values can also be checked.
Accompanying symptoms for heart stumbles
Heart stumbling can occur in isolation, but accompanying symptoms may also be present. For example, a feeling of tightness in the chest area, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, increased sweating and anxiety can occur during a heart stutter. Heart stumbling that occurs for a few seconds and has no significant accompanying symptoms can generally be classified as harmless in heart-healthy patients.
If such rhythm disturbances occur more frequently and over several minutes and there are accompanying symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or pressure on the chest as well as dizziness and sweating, the patient should consult his or her family doctor for clarification. In most cases, a serious cause for the complaints can be excluded. Patients with heart disease should also consult their attending physician for further clarification in the event of a new heart stumble.
Night sweat is a symptom that can have many causes. The combination with heart stumbling is not necessarily typical, but can occur.In general, in the case of prolonged heavy night sweats, a further clarification should be made in the medical practice. Night sweats are not always necessarily due to a heart stumble.
