Can palpitations or an arrhythmia cause brief, severe, and rhythmic pain in the heart?

Yes, : Symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of the condition. If the arrhythmia is intermittent and comes and goes, the symptoms develop suddenly, and can go just as suddenly. Symptoms can include: palpitations (an abnormal awareness of your heartbeat). But note: sensations of palpitations are also common in people who do not have an arrhythmia.