I have palpitations.
pal-pi-ta-TSYO-ni — five syllables, stress on fourth. Plural always used in Italian for this symptom.
Report heart palpitations to a doctor. If sudden onset, severe, or with chest pain or fainting, go to A&E.
'Le palpitazioni' = palpitations — always plural in Italian. 'Il cuore batte forte' = my heart is beating hard. 'Tachicardia' = tachycardia (fast heart rate). 'Aritmia' = arrhythmia. Palpitations can be benign (stress, caffeine, anxiety) or serious (atrial fibrillation, SVT). An ECG ('elettrocardiogramma') is the first investigation.
Il cuore mi batte in modo irregolare.
My heart is beating irregularly.
Irregular rhythm — suggests atrial fibrillation, needs urgent ECG
Le palpitazioni mi fanno sentire svenire.
The palpitations make me feel faint.
Palpitations with pre-syncope — urgent cardiac assessment needed
Le palpitazioni compaiono dopo il caffè.
The palpitations appear after coffee.
Caffeine-triggered palpitations — often benign, but worth documenting
Atrial fibrillation ('fibrillazione atriale') affects about 1 million Italians and is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Italian cardiology guidelines (SICI-GISE) recommend immediate ECG for any patient reporting palpitations with associated symptoms. 'Holter ECG' (24-hour ECG monitoring) is commonly prescribed to capture intermittent arrhythmias. Many Italian GPs now have ECG machines in their practice for immediate assessment.