Palpitations history-taking station

Palpitations stations test whether you can characterise an arrhythmia history and pick out the features that point to something serious, while reassuring an often anxious patient.

How to structure it

• Characterise the palpitations: onset, regularity (ask them to tap it out), duration, triggers.
• Screen for red flags — chest pain, syncope, breathlessness, family history of sudden death.
• Ask about caffeine, alcohol, stimulants and thyroid symptoms.
• Explore anxiety sensitively without dismissing organic causes.

Common pitfalls

• Attributing everything to anxiety before excluding arrhythmia.
• Missing red flags such as syncope or a family history of sudden death.
• Failing to characterise the rhythm.

Examiners reward a structured history, recognition of red flags, and a balanced, reassuring approach.