Nearly everyone experiences palpitations at some point in their lives. As mentioned, they are usually perfectly harmless. However, an irregular heartbeat can indeed be a sign that something is wrong. If you do have palpitations and they worry you, it is advisable to keep track of their frequency and duration. Especially if palpitations occur frequently or persist for more than a few minutes, it may be wise to see a doctor. If they are accompanied chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness, you should call the emergency services straight away. These are typical signs of an impending heart attack. However, if you don’t have any pre-existing heart problems, and if your palpitations subside in a few minutes after you sit down and relax, you don’t need to worry. If you do have questions remaining, it never hurts to consult your doctor on the matter.