Heart Racing but Not Anxious? Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
Heart Racing but Not Anxious? Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
Feeling your heart suddenly race even when you’re not stressed or anxious can be unsettling. Maybe you’ve noticed it after your morning coffee or just during quiet moments, and naturally, you’re wondering if it might be something more serious or related to your lifestyle. It’s completely normal to want clarity and reassurance about what’s going on with your heart.
This post is here to guide you through understanding some potential reasons your heart could be racing and, most importantly, what your next practical steps are. We’ll cover which healthcare providers can help, the typical procedures they might use to evaluate you, and what the estimated self-pay costs look like if you’re in Long Beach, CA. You’re in the right place to gain clear, useful information for taking the next step toward professional care.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach, CA
When your heart feels like it’s racing without obvious cause, there are a few types of medical professionals who are good starting points. Based on your symptoms, consider these providers:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of health issues, including heart and lifestyle-related concerns. A great first stop to help figure out if your symptoms need specialist care.
- Cardiologist: A heart specialist trained to evaluate and treat heart rhythm problems. If your symptoms suggest a heart condition, they can provide thorough testing and treatment.
- Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist: A cardiologist specialized further in heart rhythm disorders; good for complex cases of a racing heart.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Another type of generalist adult medicine physician who can evaluate symptoms, run tests, and coordinate care including referrals to specialists.
- Psychiatrist: Although you mention no anxiety, this specialist can assess emotional or behavioral factors that might contribute to your heart symptoms.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of typical procedures these providers might perform and the estimated costs if you’re paying out of pocket in Long Beach, CA.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed consultation to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and initial examination. This visit helps your doctor decide if further heart testing or specialist referral is needed.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $212 (ranges from $159 to $265)
This estimate is based on 574 providers in Long Beach. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with at least 12 leads (CPT: 93000)
Purpose: A quick, painless test that records your heart’s electrical activity to check for abnormal rhythms or other heart issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35 (ranges from $19 to $51)
This estimate is based on 185 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT: 84443)
Purpose: Checks thyroid function because thyroid problems can sometimes cause heart racing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $41 (ranges from $20 to $62)
This estimate is based on 4 providers. -
Procedure: Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems (CPT: 96127)
Purpose: A brief screening to identify if emotional factors might be contributing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $21 (ranges from $6 to $35)
This estimate is based on 5 providers.
Consultation with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT: 99214)
Purpose: Heart specialist consultation to evaluate your symptoms and plan testing or treatment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215 (ranges from $161 to $269)
This estimate is based on 180 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG), 12 leads (CPT: 93000)
Purpose: Heart rhythm recording to identify abnormal beats or arrhythmias.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35 (ranges from $19 to $50)
This estimate is based on 167 providers. -
Procedure: Heart rhythm review of continuous external EKG over 8-15 days (CPT: 93248)
Purpose: Extended heart rhythm monitoring to catch irregularities that happen sporadically.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59 (ranges from $33 to $86)
This estimate is based on 43 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart with blood flow and valve function (CPT: 93306)
Purpose: An echocardiogram to get detailed images of your heart’s function and blood flow.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $199 (ranges from $119 to $278)
This estimate is based on 185 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT: 99214)
Purpose: An adult medicine generalist evaluates you and orders initial testing or referrals.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209 (ranges from $157 to $262)
This estimate is based on 602 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG), 12 leads (CPT: 93000)
Purpose: Heart rhythm test to detect arrhythmias or other issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $37 (ranges from $19 to $55)
This estimate is based on 241 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT: 84443)
Purpose: Assess thyroid health which can influence heart rate.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $41 (ranges from $20 to $62)
This estimate is based on 14 providers. -
Procedure: Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems (CPT: 96127)
Purpose: Brief emotional and behavioral health screening.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15 (ranges from $7 to $23)
This estimate is based on 7 providers.
Psychiatrist Consultation
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT: 99214)
Purpose: Evaluate potential emotional or anxiety-related causes of your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $257 (ranges from $154 to $359)
This estimate is based on 85 providers. -
Procedure: Electrocardiogram (ECG) 1 to 3 leads (CPT: 93040)
Purpose: Basic heart rhythm review possibly to rule out heart-related causes during psychiatric evaluation.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22 (ranges from $17 to $28)
Based on 1 provider. -
Procedure: Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems (CPT: 96127)
Purpose: Screening for emotional health factors contributing to symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $9 (ranges from $6 to $11)
Based on 2 providers.
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT: 99214)
Purpose: Specialist consultation focusing on heart rhythm disorders.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $205 (ranges from $154 to $257)
This estimate is based on 17 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG with 12 leads (CPT: 93000)
Purpose: Standard heart rhythm test with interpretation.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32 (ranges from $19 to $45)
This estimate is based on 14 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart with blood flow and valve function (CPT: 93306)
Purpose: Detailed echocardiogram for heart function analysis.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $252 (ranges from $163 to $341)
This estimate is based on 14 providers.
How to Interpret the Cost Estimates
Think of healthcare costs like shopping at a market where prices can vary depending on the seller’s asking price and what a buyer or insurer is willing to pay. Here, the maximum cost represents the higher end or “list price” — similar to what a doctor asks for the service. The minimum cost is closer to what Medicare, the government insurance, has negotiated, often a price at which doctors are barely breaking even or sometimes losing money.
Your final out-of-pocket cost can fall anywhere in between, depending on factors like provider, insurance, and discounts. Knowing this range helps you budget and ask informed questions when scheduling care.
Know Your Rights
If you’re paying without insurance, you have the legal right to request a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) from your healthcare provider. This means:
- Your doctor must give you an estimate of expected charges if you ask, especially if you book services at least 3 business days ahead.
- Many providers offer self-pay discounts if asked — don’t hesitate to inquire about “cash prices” for upfront payment.
- You can request a detailed, itemized bill and dispute charges that seem incorrect or unreasonable.
- You have the right to ask for CPT codes and billing details to understand exactly what you’re being charged for.
- Several states protect consumers from unfair or excessive billing, especially if uninsured.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Taking action now can bring understanding and peace of mind about your symptoms:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor or Cardiologist in Long Beach to discuss your racing heart.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down when you experience symptoms, how long they last, and any related lifestyle factors like caffeine intake.
- Discuss Costs: When you call to book, ask about the price and whether a Good Faith Estimate is available to avoid surprises.
- Feel Empowered: Remember, seeking professional advice is a strong and important step for your health and well-being.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.