There is no way to tell without actually seeing an EKG what her hear was actually doing when she felt these palpation s I wish I could be of more help, but I cannot. It is good she is at the hospital and getting it checked out. I doubt it will be fatal... Again, you should try to take comfort in the fact that she is where she should be right now and soon you will know what is going on but in the meantime she is getting the help she needs BTW what Michelle is talking about below is called carotid sinus message and DO NOT advise your mother to do this. One Michelle is likely a young girl/young women who is thin and has few if any risk factors for heart disease. Your mother is overweight and old and has poor eating habits. if she has any plaque built up in her carotid arteries and she rubs them as Michelle is suggesting it can break off and cause stroke. Also Michelle is just guessing at what kind of rhythm your mother has. She has no idea what is going on with your mother and to do this could make some of the possible arrythmias worse.