heart clinics near me Heart palpitations are relatively common and usually a harmless condition in which the heart feels as if it is pounding, racing or fluttering. Heart palpitations account for 16% of symptoms that cause patients to go to their primary care doctor, second only to chest pain as the reason patients seek a cardiology evaluation. While concerning, palpitations usually are harmless. However, in some cases they may indicate a more serious heart condition, like a heart rhythm disorder, that requires treatment. WHAT CAUSES HEART PALPITATIONS SYMPTOMS Rapid heartbeats Fluttering heartbeats Skipped heartbeats Heartbeats that feel like they are pumping harder than normal