Call your health care provider if you experience a sudden, severe, or persistent increase in the intensity or rate of your pulse. This is particularly important when this increase is accompanied by other symptoms, or when it is not relieved by resting for a few minutes.

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination that includes monitoring your temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure. Your heart may also need to be monitored.

Your provider will ask questions such as:

• Is this the first time you have felt a bounding pulse?
• Did it develop suddenly or gradually?
• Is it present continuously, or only from time to time?
• Does it occur only when other symptoms (such as palpitations) are also present?
• Are you pregnant?
• Have you had a fever?
• Have you been very anxious or stressed?
• Do you have known high blood pressure or congestive heart failure?
• Do you have kidney failure?
• Do you have valvular heart disease (disease of your heart valves)?
• Does it get better if you rest?
• What other symptoms are present?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

• Blood studies (CBC or blood count)
• ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Echocardiogram
• X-rays of the chest