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Fast Heartbeat - Rapid Heartbeat


Diagnosis & Tests

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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