What do heart palpitations feel like?

Heart palpitations are feelings that your heart is beating way too fast, too forceful, or skipping or adding a beat. Sometimes heart palpitations feel like a gentle fluttering in your chest. Other times, heart palpitations can be strong enough to take your breath away. You may notice heart palpitations when you have high anxiety or are afraid. Or you might have heart palpitations after drinking a highly caffeinated drink such as coffee. Heart palpitations can happen anytime, day or night. Most of the time heart palpitations are harmless and are the result of stress, too much alcohol or caffeine, diet pills, cigarette smoking (nicotine), or medications taken for allergies and flu. It's good to get heart palpitations checked out to make sure they are not the sign of a more serious problem, so always check with your doctor.