That sudden flutter in your chest. The racing heartbeat that wakes you up at night. The skipped beat that stops you mid-sentence. For millions of Americans, palpitations are more than unsettling. They can signal that your heart’s electrical system needs a closer look. A thorough evaluation is the only way to know what’s behind your symptoms and what, if anything, needs to be done.
Valley Heart & Rhythm in Tarzana, CA, is a cardiac electrophysiology practice built on precision, honesty, and individualized care. Board-certified electrophysiologist Dr. Menachem Wakslak has been evaluating and treating heart rhythm disorders in the San Fernando Valley since 2012, personally guiding every patient through every step.
What Are Palpitations and Arrhythmias?
Palpitations are the sensation of your own heartbeat, whether it feels fast, slow, pounding, or irregular. They are common and often harmless, but they can also point to an underlying arrhythmia.
An arrhythmia is any abnormal heart rhythm. The heart’s electrical system controls the timing and coordination of every beat. When something disrupts that system, the effects can range from brief, benign flutters to conditions that require treatment.
Common types include:
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Atrial fibrillation (AFib): an irregular, often rapid rhythm that originates in the upper chambers of the heart
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Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): sudden episodes of rapid heartbeat beginning above the ventricles
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Premature beats (PACs and PVCs): extra beats that feel like a thump or a skipped beat
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Atrial flutter: a fast, regular rhythm in the upper chambers
Not every arrhythmia looks or feels the same, and not every arrhythmia requires the same response. That’s why a precise evaluation matters.
What Does a Palpitations and Arrhythmia Evaluation Include?
The goal of an evaluation is to capture what’s happening in your heart and understand the full picture. Dr. Wakslak starts with a detailed history because when your symptoms occur, how long they last, and what triggers them all play a role in reaching the right diagnosis.
Depending on your symptoms, testing may include:
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12-lead ECG: a snapshot of your heart’s electrical activity at rest
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Ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring: extended recording to catch symptoms that come and go, part of the broader evaluation and heart rhythm monitoring services at Valley Heart & Rhythm
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Echocardiogram: to evaluate the structure and function of your heart
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Blood work: to rule out thyroid problems, electrolyte imbalances, and other contributing factors
The evaluation is shaped by your specific symptoms, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Who Should Be Evaluated?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you experience any of the following:
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Palpitations that are new, frequent, or getting worse
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A racing or pounding heartbeat that comes on suddenly
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Lightheadedness or near-fainting that occurs with palpitations
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A known heart condition with new or changing symptoms
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Palpitations that last more than a few minutes or feel severe
Some palpitations are entirely benign. Others can indicate conditions like AFib that carry real risk if left unaddressed. Knowing which category you fall into is exactly what this evaluation is designed to determine.
What Happens After the Evaluation?
Once your results are ready, Dr. Wakslak will sit down with you and explain exactly what was found, in plain language, without rushing. If a treatment option makes sense, he’ll walk through it clearly and honestly, including why it fits your specific situation.
That might mean monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, medication, or a procedure like catheter ablation. It might also mean reassurance that what you’re experiencing is benign and no intervention is needed. Either way, you’ll leave with a clear, confident answer.
Why Choose Valley Heart & Rhythm for Palpitations and Arrhythmia Evaluation in Tarzana, CA?
At most high-volume cardiology practices, patients cycle through different providers, wait weeks for results, and often leave with more questions than answers. Valley Heart & Rhythm was built as a direct alternative to that model.
Dr. Wakslak is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with subspecialty training focused entirely on the heart’s electrical system. He trained at nationally recognized programs, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the University of Rochester Medical Center, and has practiced in the San Fernando Valley since 2012. Dr. Wakslak makes every clinical decision at Valley Heart & Rhythm personally. There are no rotating providers, no handoffs to staff you haven’t met, and no layers between you and the physician who knows your full story.
Get Real Answers About Your Heart Rhythm
Palpitations deserve a real answer, not a wait-and-see approach. At Valley Heart & Rhythm, you’ll receive a careful, expert evaluation of your heart rhythm along with honest findings and a clear explanation of what they mean for you.
Call Valley Heart & Rhythm at (818) 724-8000 to schedule an evaluation in Tarzana, CA.
