
Heart palpitations are sensations where a person becomes suddenly aware of their heartbeat, noticing heart flutters, skipped beats, or a strong pounding in the chest, throat, or neck. Many people immediately worry that these feelings signal a serious heart problem, yet in many cases they are harmless variations in a normal heartbeat.
At the same time, palpitations can sometimes point to an underlying heart rhythm problem called an arrhythmia, so understanding the basics helps people decide when to seek medical advice.