Rapid Heartbeat: Diagnosis & Tests (Tachycardia, Fast Heartbeat)

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Rapid Heartbeat: Diagnosis & Tests
Category : Health Centers > Heart Diseases

Rapid Heartbeat

Alternate Names : Tachycardia, Fast Heartbeat

Rapid Heartbeat | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the condition diagnosed?

The speed of the heartbeat usually can be measured by checking the pulse or listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart, called an electrocardiogram or ECG, can also be used to measure the heart rate.

Diagnosis of the cause starts with a history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order tests such as:

electrocardiogram, or ECG, to help diagnose irregular heartbeats and heart attacks

chest x-ray

echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of the heart, to help diagnose congestive heart failure

thyroid function tests to diagnose high thyroid levels

arterial blood gases to measure oxygen levels in the blood

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Rapid Heartbeat: Symptoms & Signs		Rapid Heartbeat: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Adam Brochert, MD
Reviewer: Melissa Sanders, PharmD
Date Reviewed: 07/27/01

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