Find information on heart racing, including palpitations, tachycardia, and sinus tachycardia. Learn about clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 codes), and differential diagnosis for rapid heart rate. Explore causes, symptoms, and treatment options for a racing heart, and understand when to seek medical attention. This resource offers insights for healthcare professionals, patients, and coders interested in understanding the medical aspects of a rapid heartbeat.
Also known as
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, NEC
Includes symptoms like palpitations, which can manifest as heart racing.
Cardiac arrhythmias
Covers specific arrhythmias that can cause a rapid heart rate.
Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders
Includes anxiety disorders where heart racing can be a symptom.
Episodic and paroxysmal disorders
Encompasses conditions like paroxysmal tachycardia.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is there a documented diagnosis?
Yes
Is it Atrial Fibrillation?
No
Code R00.2 Palpitations. Query physician for definitive diagnosis.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Heart racing (palpitations) |
| Sinus tachycardia |
| Atrial fibrillation |
Coding heart racing as R00.2 (Unspecified tachycardia) without further investigation into the underlying cause can lead to inaccurate DRG assignment and lost revenue.
Incorrectly coding heart racing as I48.x (Atrial fibrillation) without proper documentation supporting the specific type can trigger audits and denials.
Failing to document and code associated conditions like anxiety or hyperthyroidism contributing to heart racing can impact risk adjustment and quality reporting.
Patient presents with a chief complaint of heart racing, palpitations, or rapid heart rate. Onset, duration, frequency, and associated symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea), dizziness (lightheadedness, presyncope), or syncope were documented. Relevant medical history includes hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, thyroid disorders, anxiety, or substance use. Family history of cardiac arrhythmias was also explored. Physical examination revealed heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. Auscultation of the heart may have revealed murmurs, extra heart sounds, or irregular rhythm. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) was performed to assess cardiac electrical activity and identify potential arrhythmias such as sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), or ventricular tachycardia. Laboratory tests such as thyroid function tests, electrolyte panels, and cardiac enzyme levels may be ordered to evaluate underlying causes. Differential diagnosis includes sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, and substance-induced tachycardia. Treatment plan may include medications such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or antiarrhythmics. Lifestyle modifications such as stress reduction techniques, caffeine avoidance, and regular exercise may also be recommended. Patient education regarding potential triggers, symptom management, and medication adherence was provided. Follow-up appointments were scheduled for monitoring and further evaluation. ICD-10 codes such as R00.2 (tachycardia, unspecified), I47.1 (supraventricular tachycardia), I48.0 (atrial fibrillation), or I49.0 (ventricular tachycardia) may be applicable depending on the specific diagnosis. Medical billing and coding procedures for palpitations and tachycardia were followed. Clinical documentation reflects current healthcare guidelines for the evaluation and management of heart racing and related cardiac conditions.