What it is
Heart palpitations describe the subjective awareness of one's own heartbeat — perceived as pounding, racing, fluttering, or skipping.
Research-supported
Heart Palpitations
The subjective, often alarming awareness of one's own heartbeat — felt as pounding, racing, skipping, or fluttering — which may be benign or indicate a cardiac arrhythmia.
CategoryCardiovascular
Reviewed by Dr. Ian Henderson · Microbiobial Health & Medicine
26 March 2026
At a glance
Heart Palpitations at a glance
Commonly experienced as
- People describe an abrupt awareness of their heart beating faster, harder, or irregularly — sometimes with a brief 'missed beat' or flutter sensation. Many report palpitations occurring at rest, particularly when lying down at night. Anxiety-related palpitations often create a secondary fear of cardiac disease, which itself intensifies the experience. Most episodes last seconds to minutes.
