Are heart palpitations dangerous?

Most palpitations are not dangerous and are caused by harmless triggers like stress, caffeine, or hormonal changes. They become a concern when they are frequent, new, or come with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or dizziness, or if you have a history of heart disease.

Can anxiety cause heart palpitations?

Yes. Anxiety, stress, and panic attacks are the most common noncardiac cause of palpitations. That said, palpitations should not always be assumed to be anxiety, since a small share of people with psychiatric symptoms turn out to have another cause, so it is worth having a clinician confirm it.

Can caffeine cause heart palpitations?

Yes. Caffeine is a stimulant and a well-recognized, benign trigger for palpitations, along with nicotine and alcohol. Cutting back on these substances is often a useful first step if you notice your heart racing or fluttering.

When should I see a doctor for heart palpitations?

Contact a provider for first-time palpitations or a sudden increase in them. Seek urgent care if palpitations occur with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or dizziness, as these can signal a more serious rhythm problem.

How are heart palpitations diagnosed?

A clinician can use an ECG (EKG) to detect rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation. Depending on your history, they may also check thyroid function or screen for anemia, since both can cause palpitations.

Learning›Science of Skin

What Causes Heart Palpitations? Common Triggers and When to Worry

June 10, 2026

Your heart suddenly flutters, pounds, or feels like it skips a beat, and for a moment you wonder if something is seriously wrong. That awareness of your own heartbeat is called a palpitation, and if it just happened to you, take a breath. For most people, palpitations are not dangerous and have a harmless explanation.

Still, "usually harmless" is not the same as "always harmless." Below is a clear, doctor-informed look at what actually causes heart palpitations, the everyday triggers behind them, and the specific warning signs that mean you should get checked.

What are heart palpitations, exactly?

A palpitation is the feeling that your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping a beat. You might notice it in your chest, but it can also be felt in your throat or neck. Palpitations are a symptom, not a diagnosis on their own, and in many cases no specific cause is ever found.

An important point: palpitations describe what you feel, not necessarily a problem with your heart. The same sensation can come from a strong emotion, a cup of coffee, or, less often, an actual heart rhythm disorder. That is why the cause matters more than the feeling itself.

What causes heart palpitations?

Most palpitations trace back to everyday triggers rather than heart disease. Common, benign causes include emotional and lifestyle factors, plus certain substances and medications.

Frequent triggers include:

Strong emotions such as stress, anxiety, or panic attacks
Stimulants like caffeine and nicotine
Alcohol
Exercise and fever
Hormonal changes, including pregnancy and menstruation
Certain medications, such as the decongestant pseudoephedrine found in some cold and cough remedies, asthma inhalers, and thyroid drugs

When palpitations come from the heart or thyroid

Sometimes palpitations do point to an underlying medical issue. The heart-related cause is usually an arrhythmia, an electrical malfunction that disrupts the normal rhythm. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common treated heart arrhythmia, and a fluttering heartbeat is one of its classic symptoms, though some people with AFib have no symptoms at all.

AFib is more common than many people realize. Recent estimates predict at least 10.55 million U.S. adults, about 4.48% or roughly 1 in 22, have diagnosed atrial fibrillation, about three times higher than projections based on 1996-1997 data. High blood pressure accounts for about 1 in 5 cases of AFib. Beyond the heart, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and anemia can also produce palpitations, which is why a proper evaluation looks beyond just the heart.

Is it just anxiety, or something more?

Anxiety is the single most common noncardiac cause of palpitations, so it is a very real and frequent explanation. But palpitations should not be automatically dismissed as "just nerves."

In a study of 190 patients presenting with palpitations, the cause was cardiac in 43%, psychiatric in 31%, and miscellaneous, such as medication, thyroid problems, caffeine, or anemia, in 10%. Notably, even among patients with known psychiatric symptoms, a non-psychiatric source was found in up to 13% of cases. The takeaway: anxiety is common, but it should be a diagnosis your clinician confirms, not assumes.

When should you worry about heart palpitations?

Infrequent palpitations that last only a few seconds usually do not require evaluation. The picture changes when palpitations come with other symptoms or a known heart condition.

Seek urgent medical care if your palpitations occur alongside any of the following:

Chest pain or pressure
Shortness of breath
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Severe dizziness
A history of heart disease

How palpitations are evaluated and managed

For most people, the first step is identifying and cutting back on obvious triggers, such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or a stimulant medication. If palpitations are frequent, new, or worrisome, a clinician can order an ECG (also called an EKG) to look for rhythm disorders, and may check thyroid levels or screen for anemia.

If you are unsure whether your palpitations are harmless or worth a closer look, it is reasonable to get a personalized assessment rather than guess. A clinician can review your history, your triggers, and your symptoms together and tell you whether testing is warranted, and care is always the right call if you have warning signs.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new skincare treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant, or are taking medications.