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Published on: 7/15/2026

When are heart palpitations serious enough to see a doctor?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Heart palpitations are usually harmless, but certain warning signs mean you should contact a healthcare provider right away. Seek medical evaluation if your palpitations are accompanied by:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or feeling like you may faint
  • Palpitations that are worsening, more frequent, or lasting longer

These symptoms can signal an underlying heart rhythm problem or other cardiovascular condition that benefits from prompt assessment. Because palpitations have many possible causes—ranging from stress and caffeine to arrhythmias or thyroid issues—understanding your specific pattern is key to knowing what to do next. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insight into what may be driving your symptoms and clear guidance on the right next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing your heart palpitationsFind out if palpitations need urgent careDiscover if heart palpitations could be seriousSee OTC options for heart palpitationsFind a doctor for heart palpitationsUnderstand home remedies for palpitationsCheck symptoms to understand palpitations better

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Explanation

While palpitations are commonly and most often benign, some worrisome signs include:

  • Chest discomfort or pain
  • Difficulty breathing or catching your breath
  • Feeling as though you might lose consciousness
  • Worsening of the palpitations in frequency, duration or severity

Palpitations run the gamut of benign to life-threatening so if you are concerned, use our free AI symptom checker or talk with your health care provider.

(References)

  • Govender I, Nashed KK, Rangiah S, Okeke S, Maphasha OM. Palpitations: Evaluation and management by primary care practitioners. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2022 Feb 24;64(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/safp.v64i1.5449. PMID: 35261258; PMCID: PMC8905373.

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