ask: Does listening to the heart with a stethoscope provide reliable diagnosis when a heart is racing after exercise?

Hello Anon,

Thank you for posting! There are a few things that a stethoscope can help you determine: Your heart rate and rhythm and if you've got a really good ear-- a heart murmur. If someone is a cardiologist or a cardiology nurse with plenty of experience listening to heart sounds then the stethoscope is a good aid in diagnosing since the ear gets used to listening to certain heart conditions through a stethoscope. If it is a serious defect the doctor will usually confirm this with further tests. 

I'm curious as to why you ask this? Have you been diagnosed with a heart condition? Did you check your own heart rate after exercise or did your doctor? More information would be helpful.

Best wishes,

Rosa