Palpitations / Other Arrhythmias (incl SVT)
Outpatients | CardiologyThis condition is treated in the Cardiology clinic.
Pre-referral work-up
History
All referrals should comply to the referral standards and must include:
- Cardiac risk factor assessment
For supraventricular tachycardia:
- Rate and pattern of pulse
- Constant or intermittent
- TIA's/stroke - past or present
- Associated symptoms - angina, SOB
- Current and past medications
NB: Ventricular Tachycardia is an emergency and needs immediate referral to ED via ambulance.
For palpitations:
- History of episodes is essential
- Impact on functioning
- Medications trialled and results of trial
Tests
Pathology:
- FBC
- UEC
- CMP (Ca. Mg, PO4)
- LFT
- TSH
Imaging:
- Nil
Investigations:
- Any relevant ECGs (during episodes if possible)
- Holter monitor report - if available
Interim/GP management
To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Cardiology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.
Additional information which may be useful for triage:
- Relevant previous medical history and co-morbidities
- Caffeine intake, alcohol intake and drug use (including recreational drugs)
- Echocardiogram report
- Stress test report
- CXR report
Interim management advice can be found on the HealthPathways website.
For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.
Additional Information
RACGP Article - Initial Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Clinic appointments
🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.
Emergency
🚩 Palpitations with any of the following concerning features:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- loss of consciousness
- syncope / pre-syncope
- persisting tachyarrhythmia on ECG
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Urgent (Category 1)
🚩 Palpitations without emergency referral concerning features (Select to display above) however includes any of the following (select applicable):
🚩 Other cardiac symptoms
🚩 Haemodynamic disturbance
🚩 Abnormal resting 12 lead ECG
🚩 Palpitations in a patient with known structural heart disease or family history of sudden cardiac death
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.
We will endeavour to see these patients within one week, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
Significant burden of ventricular ectopy i.e., Symptomatic or Associated with impaired cardiac function
Routine (Category 3)
Palpitations - Patient's symptoms / presentation has not yet been addressed in any above criteria
Next available appointment usually within eight weeks
Availability
North
Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics
Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227
North West
Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 6441 5928
South
General cardiology clinic enquiries and appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 0061
Fax: 03 6231 0101
Pacemaker and cardiac device enquiries and clinic appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 0064
Royal Hobart Hospital
Level 2 (D Block) - Cardiology and Echo Department
General cardiology clinic enquiries and appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 8620 or 03 6166 8860
Fax: 03 6234 3982
Nurse Practitioner: Chronic Cardiac Care/Heart Failure
Phone: 03 6166 7398
Pulmonary Hypertension Services
Phone: 03 6166 8034