Cardiac Symptom

Palpitations & Arrhythmia

A racing, fluttering or pounding heartbeat can be unsettling. Dr Kamal Khan offers specialist assessment and Holter monitoring to identify the cause of palpitations — from harmless ectopic beats to atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.

Ambulatory ECG monitoring available
Holter Monitoring
Specialist Review
AF & Rhythm Disorders
No GP Referral Needed
About Palpitations

Understanding palpitations

Palpitations describe an awareness of your own heartbeat — whether it feels like racing, fluttering, pounding, or skipping a beat. They are common and often benign, frequently triggered by caffeine, stress, alcohol or anxiety.

However, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of an underlying arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, that benefits from diagnosis and management. Dr Kamal Khan uses ambulatory monitoring and specialist review to capture and characterise your heart rhythm accurately.

What we assess

Types of rhythm disorder

Atrial fibrillation (AF) — an irregular, often rapid heart rhythm and a key focus given its link to stroke risk
Ectopic beats — extra or skipped beats, usually benign but worth confirming
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) — episodes of a fast, regular heartbeat
Bradycardia — an unusually slow heart rate
Non-cardiac triggers — such as thyroid conditions, anaemia or anxiety, which Dr Khan can help identify
Your assessment

What your assessment involves

First step
History, examination and resting ECG
Monitoring
24-hour, 7-day or event Holter monitoring
Further tests
Echocardiogram or blood tests if indicated
Referral needed
No GP referral required for private assessment
Your visit

What happens at your appointment

Dr Khan will ask about when your palpitations occur, how long they last, and any associated symptoms such as dizziness or breathlessness. A resting ECG and examination are usually performed at your first visit.

Because palpitations are often intermittent, ambulatory monitoring — a small, wearable ECG recorder worn for 24 hours or longer — is frequently used to capture your heart's rhythm during everyday activity. Dr Khan will review the results with you and explain any findings and treatment options clearly.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Are palpitations always a sign of a heart problem?
No. Palpitations are often harmless and can be triggered by caffeine, stress, alcohol or anxiety. However, they can occasionally signal an underlying arrhythmia, so it's worth having new, frequent or prolonged palpitations properly assessed.
What is Holter monitoring?
A Holter monitor is a small, portable ECG device worn for 24 hours or longer to record your heart's rhythm during normal daily activity, helping to capture irregular beats that might not appear during a brief in-clinic ECG.
Do I need a GP referral for an arrhythmia assessment?
No. Self-funded and insured patients can book a private consultation with Dr Khan directly, without a GP referral.
What treatments are available for arrhythmia?
Treatment depends on the type and cause of the arrhythmia, and may include lifestyle changes, medication, or referral for a procedure. Dr Khan will discuss the most appropriate option for your individual case.
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At a Glance
Ambulatory ECG monitoring
Specialist arrhythmia review
3 private hospital locations
No GP referral required
Self-funded & insured patients welcome
Accepted Insurers
BUPA
AXA Health
Aviva
Vitality Health
Cigna
WPA
Allianz
Simply Health
Healix
Related Services
Chest Pain Echocardiography Breathlessness Ongoing Cardiac Care
Private Clinic Locations
The Alexandra HospitalCheadle, Cheshire Spire Manchester HospitalDidsbury, Manchester HCA Healthcare WilmslowWilmslow, Cheshire
Book an appointment

Get your heart rhythm checked

Self-funded and insured patients welcome. No GP referral required.

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