What is a palpitation?

A palpitation refers to the sensation of feeling one's heart beating, which may be perceived as rapid, fluttering, or irregular. It is often described as a noticeable awareness of the heartbeat and can occur during periods of rest or physical activity. When considering the nature of a palpitation, it is fundamentally associated with variations in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat, meaning it can encompass irregularities in heart rhythm.

In this context, the choice identifying palpitation as an irregular heartbeat clearly encapsulates the core definition and experience of a palpitation. While rapid pulse or heart attack symptoms may involve palpitations, those terms denote broader conditions that can manifest through various symptoms, whereas palpitation specifically pertains to the individual's direct experience of their heartbeat irregularities. Recognizing this context helps clarify why identifying it explicitly as an irregular heartbeat is the most accurate choice.