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uk Health & medical scares new irregular heartbeat • skipped beats feeling unsettled • heart fluttering sensation • heart racing suddenly • pounding heartbeat at rest • palpitations out of nowhere • irregular pulse you can feel • heartbeat feels wrong • sudden thumps in chest • missed heartbeat sensation • chest fluttering and worry • shaky after palpitations • lightheaded with palpitations • anxious with irregular pulse • fast heartbeat then pause • thumping heart lying down • palpitations after caffeine • palpitations after stress • new heart rhythm symptoms • first time palpitations

What to do if…
you notice a new irregular heartbeat or skipped beats and feel unsettled

Short answer

If you have palpitations (an irregular heartbeat or skipped beats) with chest pain, shortness of breath, or you feel faint/faint, treat it as an emergency: call 999 or go to A&E. If you do not have those symptoms but this is new or you still feel unwell, use NHS 111 (phone or online) for urgent advice, or ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive yourself to get help if you feel faint, very dizzy, or unsteady.
  • Do not do vigorous exercise “to test it” while your heartbeat feels irregular.
  • Do not take extra doses of prescribed medicine or someone else’s medicine to “calm your heart”.
  • Do not add stimulants (energy drinks, lots of caffeine, nicotine, recreational stimulants) or binge alcohol to cope.
  • Try not to re-check your pulse repeatedly in a way that escalates panic — take a quick note once, then follow the steps below.

What to do now

  1. Pause and steady for 2–3 minutes. Sit upright, feet on the floor. Slow your breathing so you can assess safely.
  2. Do the emergency check. Call 999 or go to A&E now if your palpitations come with any of these:
    • Chest pain/pressure/tightness
    • Shortness of breath
    • Feeling faint or fainting If you need A&E, do not drive — ask someone to take you or call 999 for an ambulance.
  3. If those emergency symptoms happened but have stopped: ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment, or contact NHS 111 (phone/online) for urgent advice on what to do next.
  4. If you have no emergency symptoms but it’s new or you feel “not right”: contact NHS 111 now. Tell them:
    • It’s a new irregular heartbeat/skipped beats
    • Whether it is happening right now or has stopped
    • Any symptoms (dizziness, breathlessness, chest discomfort, sweating, nausea)
    • Any heart history (you or close family) and relevant conditions (thyroid issues, recent illness/fever, pregnancy)
  5. Make a quick “episode log” (30–60 seconds). Write in your phone notes:
    • Start time, how long it lasted, and what it felt like (fluttering, pounding, skipping)
    • What you were doing right before it started
    • Possible triggers in the last 6–12 hours: caffeine/energy drinks, alcohol, nicotine, decongestants, new supplements, poor sleep, dehydration, recent illness/fever
  6. If you want to check your pulse, keep it gentle and brief. Wrist pulse is usually easiest. If you use your neck, touch lightly and one side only (do not press hard). If you feel worse while checking, stop and focus on getting help via 111/999 based on symptoms.
  7. Reduce immediate risk while you wait for advice.
    • Don’t drive; ask someone to stay with you or be reachable.
    • Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and stimulant decongestants for the rest of the day.
    • Sip water if you might be dehydrated (unless you’ve been told to restrict fluids).
  8. If you have a wearable that captured the episode, save it (optional). Don’t delay getting help to capture a recording.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether it’s “just anxiety” or “a heart problem” right now.
  • You do not need to google diagnoses, buy supplements, or change your diet today.
  • You do not need to stop prescribed medication unless a clinician tells you to (but note any recent medication changes, including decongestants).

Important reassurance

Palpitations can feel intense and unsettling even when the cause is not dangerous. The safest approach is exactly this: check for clear emergency symptoms, then use 111/your GP for timely assessment if it’s new or recurring so you don’t have to guess.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance to help you stay safe and get the right level of help. Follow-up testing (for example an ECG or monitoring) and longer-term decisions can come later with a clinician.

Important note

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you feel seriously unwell, symptoms are worsening, or you’re unsure, use emergency services.

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