Palpitations Including Approach To A Patient Mnemonic

• A – Assess the patient’s symptoms and medical history.
• P – Palpitations are often a result of various causes, including cardiac, psychiatric, and miscellaneous factors.
• P – Perform a physical examination to evaluate vital signs, jugular venous pressure, and the chest.
• R – Record an electrocardiogram to document the arrhythmia if necessary.
• O – Other diagnostic methods may include Holter monitoring, telephonic monitoring, loop recordings, or mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry.
• A – Assess for associated symptoms such as syncope, lightheadedness, angina, or dyspnea.
• C – Consider the presence of risk factors for coronary artery disease and ventricular arrhythmias.
• H – Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, and mitral stenosis may be accompanied by dyspnea and contribute to palpitations.
• T – Thyrotoxicosis, drugs, and ethanol are among the miscellaneous causes of palpitations.
• O – Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s condition to determine the appropriate treatment.
• P – Panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and somatization can also contribute to palpitations.
• A – Arrhythmias need to be assessed for potential life-threatening risks.
• T – Tobacco, caffeine, and certain medications can increase the likelihood of palpitations.
• I – Investigate the patient’s pulse and ask them to “tap out” the rhythm of their palpitations.
• E – Exercise electrocardiography may be helpful if the arrhythmia is induced by exertion.
• N – Note the duration, frequency, and accompanying symptoms of the palpitations.
• T – (blank)

Mnemonic :  APPROACH TO PATIENt