It means that the "fight or flight" reaction has been triggered.
That could, for example, be because the person you've just seen has previously threatened to kill you.
It could also be because the presence of that person causes you anxiety (e.g. if you see your boss walk in when you're spending your time on social media, rather than on his spreadsheets).
Equally, it could be because you're in love with the person (or, at least, starting to feel that way):
https://orthology.com/what-happens-to-your-heart-when-you-fall-in-love/