heart palpitations keep coming back more often but I feel fine, should I see someone

Yes, you should schedule an appointment to speak with a GP, even though you feel fine otherwise.¹²³While heart palpitations are often harmless and can be triggered by everyday factors like stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, alcohol, or hormonal shifts, you should see a doctor if they are coming back more often or lasting longer. Repeated episodes can sometimes be a sign of an underlying heart rhythm problem (such as an arrhythmia) or other treatable conditions like an overactive thyroid or anaemia.¹²³⁴Your GP can review your medical history, listen to your heart, and arrange basic tests—such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a longer-term heart monitor—to check your heart's electrical signals.¹²³⁴

When to Seek Emergency Help

Call 999 (or go to your nearest A&E) immediately if your heart palpitations are accompanied by any of these warning signs:¹²

• Chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling faint, lightheaded, or passing out ¹²

To help me narrow down what might be going on, could you share:

• How long these episodes usually last?
• What they feel like (e.g., a fast racing beat, a heavy thumping, or a skipped beat)?
• Do you notice them happen more often during certain times of day, after eating, or when you are stressed?

Yes, you should arrange to see a GP.¹

Even if you feel completely fine while they happen, recurrent, frequent, or escalating palpitations are a clear signal to get checked out.¹

When to Seek Medical Attention

• See a GP soon: Contact your GP surgery or use NHS 111 Online for an appointment if your palpitations keep coming back, are happening more often, last for more than a few minutes, or if you have a family history of heart conditions.¹
• Go to A&E or call 999 immediately if your palpitations do not stop, or if they are accompanied by any of these warning signs:
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Shortness of breath or dizziness
  • Fainting or feeling like you are going to pass out¹

What to Expect at the GP

When you visit your doctor, they will likely want to investigate the electrical rhythm of your heart. Common steps include:¹

• Taking a basic history: Asking when they happen, how long they last, and what you are doing at the time.¹
• Reviewing triggers: Looking at your intake of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, stress levels, sleep, or new medications.¹
• An Electrocardiogram (ECG): A quick, painless test using sticky pads on your skin to trace your heart's electrical signals. They might also arrange a longer-term monitor (like a Holter monitor) to catch episodes that come and go.¹
• Blood tests: To check for things like iron-deficiency anaemia or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), both of which are common culprits.¹

You can read more about what causes fluttering rhythms and what steps to take on the official NHS Heart Palpitations Guide.¹

To help narrow down what might be going on, could you share:

• How long a typical episode lasts (seconds, minutes)?
• What you're usually doing when they start (resting, exercising, stressed)?
• Any other subtle signs, like feeling slightly drained or jittery?

Yes — I would recommend getting your heart palpitations checked by a healthcare professional, especially since they're happening more often, even though you feel completely fine otherwise.

Palpitations are quite common and often aren't caused by anything dangerous. However, a change in how frequently they happen is worth investigating rather than ignoring.

What could be causing them?

Some possible causes include:

• Extra heartbeats (ectopic beats): Often feel like a skipped beat, thump or flutter.
• Stress or anxiety, even when you don't feel particularly anxious.
• Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or energy drinks.
• Poor sleep, dehydration or illness.
• Thyroid problems, anaemia or electrolyte imbalances.
• A heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).

When should you seek help?

(Arrange a medical assessment)

Because they're becoming more frequent, I'd suggest contacting your GP soon, ideally within the next few days.

They may recommend:

• An ECG to check your heart rhythm.
• Blood tests, including thyroid function and electrolytes.
• A 24–48-hour or longer heart monitor (Holter monitor) to catch episodes that don't happen during an appointment.

(Seek emergency help now)

If palpitations occur alongside any of the following:

• Chest pain or pressure.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling faint or actually fainting.
• Severe dizziness or sudden weakness.

In the UK, call 999 for these symptoms.

A few questions that would help me understand what's happening

I'd particularly like to know what the palpitations feel like, because different patterns can suggest different causes.

The NHS specifically recommends seeing a GP if palpitations keep returning or are becoming more frequent, even if you otherwise feel well. www.nhs.ukwww.nhs.uk

Could you tell me:

1. Do they feel like a skipped beat, a sudden thump, fluttering, or a racing heart?
2. How long does each episode last — seconds, minutes, or longer?
3. How often are they happening now compared with before?
4. Do they happen when resting, lying down, exercising, or randomly?
5. Have you ever felt dizzy, breathless or faint when they happen?

Also, do you have any family history of heart rhythm problems or sudden cardiac death?

I don't want to alarm you. Many palpitations are harmless, but I'd rather you get a simple ECG and appropriate checks than assume everything is fine.

You can read the NHS guidance on heart palpitations.