In brief
A noticeable change in your heartbeat, such as it feeling unusually fast, irregular or strong. Palpitations are usually not serious, but your heart should be checked.
- Palpitations that last more than a few minutes or happen often need urgent review.
- A family history of heart rhythm problems is important to mention.
- Even 100 to 200 mg of caffeine can cause a faster heart rate, according to healthdirect.
When to get help
Get help now
- Palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting: call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.
See your doctor if
- Palpitations that last more than a few minutes.
- Palpitations that happen often.
- Palpitations with a family history of heart rhythm problems.
- Any palpitations, so your heart can be checked.
Things that can contribute
- Stress and anxiety
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Certain medicines
- Fever
- Low blood sugar
- Anaemia
- An overactive thyroid
Questions you could ask your GP
- Do I need an ECG or a heart monitor?
- Should my thyroid, iron and electrolytes be checked?
- Could my medicines, caffeine or alcohol be triggers?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Heart palpitations. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
healthdirect lists causes including stress and anxiety, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, certain medicines, fever, low blood sugar, anaemia, an overactive thyroid, salt imbalances in the blood and heart rhythm problems.
Palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting need emergency care. Otherwise, see your doctor so your heart can be checked, which may include a heart tracing (ECG).
Connections
6 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Heart palpitations can be caused by
A racing or pounding heart is a physical symptom of anxiety.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Anxiety
Even 100 to 200 mg of caffeine can cause a faster heart rate, and caffeine is one cause of palpitations.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Caffeine; healthdirect Australia, Heart palpitations
Anaemia is one cause of heart palpitations, according to healthdirect.
Atrial fibrillation can cause palpitations, shortness of breath and tiredness, though some people have no symptoms.
Heart palpitations is linked with
An overactive thyroid is one cause of heart palpitations, according to healthdirect.
Palpitations are usually not serious, but see your doctor so your heart can be checked.
Lab tests
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 12, 13 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.