What you’re experiencing may be an abnormal heart rhythm, also known as an arrhythmia. A racing heart or a skipped beat typically falls into the “too fast” category. When an abnormal heartbeat interrupts the normal rhythm, you may feel palpitations — sensations that your heart is racing, fluttering, skipping a beat — or a sense of panic. One way to slow a sudden racing heart is by performing a vagal maneuver, which can help interrupt the abnormal rhythm. If you’re experiencing a racing heart, noticing skipped beats or symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm, consult with your healthcare professional or a cardiologist to determine whether further evaluation or treatment is needed.