Heart Palpitations at Rest

(An everyday body signal, and when they’re usually benign)

Noticing your heartbeat when you’re resting can be unsettling.

For many people, heart palpitations appear suddenly, without exertion, and feel out of proportion to what’s happening.

In most cases, palpitations at rest are harmless and related to normal heart rhythm variation, not heart disease.

What palpitations at rest usually feel like

People describe palpitations in different ways, including:

• A fluttering sensation
• A skipped or extra beat
• A brief thump in the chest
• Increased awareness of the heartbeat

They often occur:

• When sitting quietly
• Lying in bed
• After eating
• During periods of rest after activity

Importantly, this is often increased awareness, not a change in heart health.

Why palpitations happen when you’re resting

The heart doesn’t beat with perfect regularity.

Small rhythm variations are normal and usually unnoticed during activity.

At rest:

• Background noise drops
• Attention turns inward
• The heartbeat becomes more noticeable

This makes normal rhythm changes feel prominent.

In many cases, the heart hasn’t changed — your awareness has.

Common triggers that make palpitations more noticeable

Several everyday factors increase heartbeat sensitivity, including:

• Stress or emotional load
• Fatigue
• Caffeine
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Anxiety or heightened alertness
• Changes in breathing

These factors affect the nervous system’s control of heart rhythm, not the heart’s structure.

Why stress and anxiety play a role (even quietly)

Stress doesn’t always feel dramatic.

It can:

• Increase adrenaline levels
• Make the heart more reactive
• Heighten body awareness

This combination makes normal beats feel exaggerated.

Palpitations often appear:

• At night
• During quiet moments
• After stressful days
• When lying down

This timing can make them feel more alarming than they are.

Why palpitations often come and go

Benign palpitations tend to:

• Appear during certain phases
• Disappear for long periods
• Return under similar conditions

This pattern reflects temporary nervous system influence, not progressive heart problems.

When palpitations at rest are usually harmless

Palpitations are usually considered benign when:

• They are brief
• They occur at rest
• There’s no chest pain
• There’s no fainting or severe breathlessness
• Exercise tolerance is normal
• They improve with reduced stress or fatigue

In these cases, reassurance is often enough.

When it’s worth checking

It’s sensible to seek medical advice if palpitations:

• Are persistent or worsening
• Are accompanied by fainting or dizziness
• Come with chest pain or pressure
• Cause shortness of breath
• Occur during exertion
• Are associated with known heart conditions

These situations are less common, but they’re the appropriate threshold for checking.

The bottom line

Heart palpitations at rest are a common everyday body signal.

For most people, they reflect:

• Normal rhythm variation
• Increased awareness during quiet moments
• Temporary nervous system activation

They feel dramatic, but are usually benign.

Understanding that often reduces both the sensation and the worry.