title: Emergency management of palpitations in the elderly: epidemiology, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic options.
abstract: Palpitations are a common complaint among elderly patients presenting to the emergency department. Although most are benign, the elderly do have a higher risk of having a cardiac cause. Other causes include psychiatric disorders, and sometimes a combination of cardiac and psychiatric causes coexist. A history and physical examination, including a detailed medication history, are an essential part of the workup in older patients. A 12-lead electrocardiogram is an essential first step toward a diagnosis; other tests are recommended in high-risk patients, including those with underlying coronary artery disease or structural cardiac abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. Namirah.Jamshed@Medstar.net
authors.forename: Namirah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jamshed
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubin
authors.forename: Zayd
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Eldadah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*