Going on a first date, confronting someone and having a near miss while driving are all guaranteed to get the ticker thumping.
Exercise was the most likely cause, followed by having jolly good sex, attending a job interview and going on a first date.
An argument came fifth, with making a presentation at work and bringing up a difficult issue close behind, say researchers from OnePoll.com.
Other reasons include taking an exam, bumping into an ex, watching a scary film or TV programme and hearing a noise at night.
The average adult will experience a pounding heart four times a week, with more than three quarters admitting it is fairly easy to set it off, the study of 2,000 Britons showed.
And six in 10 admitted they worry about their heart health, with one in five consulting a health professional about their concerns.
Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and medical director at Healthspan, which commissioned the research, said: “It’s important to keep an eye on your heart health and speak to your GP if your heart races for no reason.”
She added: “Making one or two small changes to heart health can make a difference.”
TOP 50 TRIGGERS GUARANTEED TO HELP THE BLOOD RUN FASTER
1. Exercise
2. Having good sex
3. Going for a job interview
4. A first date
5. Having an argument
6. Making a presentation at work
7. Bringing up a difficult issue or confronting someone
8. A near miss while driving or cycling
9. The moment you realise you’ve made a mistake at work
10. Just before your driving test
11. Almost tipping over backwards in a chair
12. Travelling in a car being driven badly
13. Taking an exam
14. A first kiss
15. Hearing a noise at night
16. Waking up from a nightmare
17. Making a complaint
18. Losing sight of your child
19. Running to catch the last bus/train
20. Watching your favourite football team in an important game
21. Losing your phone
22. Triggering a phobia
23. Getting lost
24. Seeing your crush
25. Watching a scary film or television programme
26. Realising you forgot to lock the front door
27. Bumping into your ex
28. Seeing a spider out of the corner of your eye
29. Winning money
30. Last five minutes of a football match when your team is winning 1-0
31. Losing your passport ahead of a trip
32. Just before take-off in a plane
33. Almost spilling a drink
34. Driving fast in a car
35. Making a big purchase
36. Getting married
37. A last-minute bid on eBay
38. Sending an email or text to the wrong person
39. Sending a ‘risky’ text
40. Not being able to find your car in a car park
41. Driving through a narrow gap
42. Handing in your notice at work
43. When the boss asks to see you in the boardroom
44. Getting on the wrong train/Tube/bus
45. When you remember you’ve left the iron on and you’re already out of the house
46. Suddenly realising you’ve forgotten someone’s birthday
47. An on-screen cliffhanger
48. Cycling down a hill
49. Asking for a pay rise
50. Accidentally liking someone’s post or photo on social media