heart palpitations at rest
Palpitations at rest are common and often benign, but require clinical evaluation to rule out underlying arrhythmias, structural heart issues, or systemic metabolic triggers.
Possible causes
- 01
Ectopic heartbeats
commonPremature atrial or ventricular contractions are very common, often felt as skipped or extra beats at rest, and are typically benign.
Evidence
- NICE CKS: Palpitations (2021)
- 02
Anxiety or stress response
commonHigh adrenaline states can trigger awareness of the heartbeat or actual sinus tachycardia, especially during quiet resting periods.
Evidence
- NHS: Heart palpitations (2024)
- 03
Hyperthyroidism
possibleAn overactive thyroid gland accelerates the metabolic rate, frequently causing resting tachycardia, palpitations, and anxiety.
Evidence
- NICE CKS: Hyperthyroidism (2023)
- 04
Cardiac Arrhythmias
less commonConditions like atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia can cause sudden, rapid, or irregular resting palpitations.
Recommended tests
ECG (electrocardiogram)
→12-lead ECG — palpitations, chest discomfort, pre-exercise clearance.
Why: Essential first-line test to record the heart's electrical activity and detect arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: Palpitations - Assessment (2021)
Thyroid function panel
→TSH, Free T3, Free T4 — first-line test for fatigue, weight change, hair loss, mood.
Why: Screens for hyperthyroidism, a common and treatable systemic cause of resting palpitations.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: Hyperthyroidism - Scenario: Suspected (2023)
GP consultation
→30–60 minute consultation with a British-trained GP — clinic, home or video.
Why: A comprehensive clinical history and physical examination are vital to guide further cardiac monitoring or referral.
Guideline
- NICE CKS: Palpitations - Referral (2021)
When to worry
- Chest pain, tightness, or pressure
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
- Syncope (blacking out or fainting)
- Palpitations accompanied by sudden, severe weakness
Sources & guidelines
This triage is grounded in mainstream clinical guidance. Every case is reviewed in person by a British-trained GP before any diagnosis or prescription.
- NICE CKS: Palpitations (2021)
Related
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"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
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