When to get help

See a doctor promptly if palpitations come with chest pain, fainting or near-fainting, severe shortness of breath, or last more than a few minutes without stopping — these need urgent evaluation to rule out a dangerous arrhythmia. Also see a doctor if palpitations are frequent, worsening, associated with a known heart condition, or if you've never had them evaluated before, since an ECG or heart monitor is needed to distinguish benign palpitations from an arrhythmia requiring treatment.