Palpitations as a red flag symptom of syncope may suggest which of the following?

Palpitations as a red flag symptom of syncope indicate a potential underlying cardiac issue, particularly arrhythmias. When a patient experiences syncope—which is a sudden loss of consciousness—palpitations may suggest that an irregular heartbeat or abnormal electrical activity in the heart is the cause of the fainting episode. Arrhythmias can lead to insufficient blood flow to the brain, resulting in syncope.

Other conditions listed might also lead to syncope but do not typically correlate with palpitations as a key symptom. For instance, sepsis involves systemic inflammation that can lead to shock but does not specifically cause palpitations. A cerebral vascular accident (CVA) relates more to issues of blood flow in the brain and may not present with heart-related symptoms like palpitations. Similarly, hypoglycemia can cause syncope, yet it is typically associated with other symptoms such as sweating, confusion, or weakness, rather than palpitations.

Therefore, when palpitations are present alongside syncope, it is crucial to consider the possibility of an arrhythmia as the primary concern.