What term describes the sensation of a racing or irregular heartbeat?

The sensation of a racing or irregular heartbeat is known as palpitations. This term is used to describe the awareness of heartbeats that are irregular, rapid, or pounding. People experiencing palpitations often report feeling as though their heart is skipping beats or beating too quickly. This sensation can arise from a variety of causes, including stress, caffeine intake, or underlying heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation.

While terms like fluttering, tachycardia, and arrhythmia are related to heart activity, they do not specifically capture the subjective experience of feeling the heartbeat itself. Fluttering may refer to a specific type of irregular heartbeat but does not encompass all sensations of irregularity or racing. Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate but does not convey the feeling of awareness that comes with palpitations. Arrhythmia is a broader term that refers to any abnormal heartbeat, including irregularities, but again does not specifically refer to the sensation experienced by the individual. Thus, palpitations is the most accurate term to describe the sensation of awareness of racing or irregular heartbeats.