What's the cause of heart palpitations and what to do when you get them?

Usually harmless: Heart palpitations are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Stress, exercise, medications or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. See a Dr if your heart palpitations are accompanied by Chest discomfort or Pain, Fainting, Severe shortness of breath, Severe dizziness.

Palpitations: Palpitations are a symptom that can be a forceful heartbeat, a rapid heartbeat, an irregular heartbeat. Causes can be anxiety, overactive thyroid, stimulants like caffeine,alcohol,nicotine,certain medications,a distended stomach or heart pathology. Testing includes heart auscultation by stethoscope, EKG, echocardiogram, and wearing a heart monitor for 24-48 hours noting when you experience palpita