Video: What causes your heart to race

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Occasional heart palpitations may be nothing to worry about, but a racing heart may signal a more serious condition.

Too much caffeine, too much alcohol and too little sleep are a few of the things that can trigger palpitations or cardiac arrhythmia.

"You know, everybody has them," said Dr. Arthur Agatston, cardiologist. "Sometimes they describe it as a fluttering. Sometimes, they feel something in their throat. Sometimes, a sinking sensation in their chest."

Agatston explains the palpitations are actually extra heartbeats. What causes them is just stimulation of adrenaline indirectly or directly.

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Agatston says patients are more likely to complain about a racing heart as they age and if they're sedentary. He has some advice on when to see a doctor.

"The time it becomes urgent is when the palpitations are sustained; if they're fast and regular -- or even irregular -- but aren't stopping," Agatston said. "And if you have any associated symptoms - weakness, lightheadedness, chest pain."

Doctors may use an EKG and echocardiogram to determine if there is a more serious problem. If everything's normal, Agatston often recommends a fish oil supplement to ease the symptoms.

"They help stabilize the membranes of the electrical system of the heart," he said.