palpitation

palpitation

 [pal″pĭ-ta´shun]

a heartbeat that is unusually rapid, strong, or irregular enough to make a person aware of it, usually over 120 beats per minute, as opposed to the normal 60 to 100 per minute. In most cases, it is the result of excitement, nervousness, strong exertion, or taking of certain medications (including caffeine and nicotine). There are also palpitations that result from heart disorders such as paroxysmal tachycardia, flutter, abnormal rhythms in which the heart has runs of rapid beats, and atrial fibrillation (in which the beats are rapid but irregular or seemingly random).

Palpitations may be caused by organic heart disease, but they also can result from other factors. Similarly, emotional pressures rather than organic changes may cause the so-called “nervous heart,” or functional heart disease.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

pal·pi·ta·tion

(pal'pi-tā'shŭn), Do not confuse this word with palpation. Avoid the colloquial and jargonistic use of the plural of this abstract noun in the sense of 'strong or irregular heartbeats'.

Forcible or irregular pulsation of the heart, perceptible to the patient, usually with an increase in frequency or force, with or without irregularity in rhythm.

Synonym(s): trepidatio cordis

[L. palpito, to throb]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

palpitation

(păl′pĭ-tā′shən)

n.

1. A trembling or shaking.

2. Irregular, rapid beating or pulsation of the heart.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

palpitation

Cardiology A generally unpleasant subjective sensation of strong and/or irregular heart pulsations, often accompanying ↑ physical exertion Sx & clinical correlates Flip-flopping sensation, the heart seems to stop, then start with pounding–s/o premature atrial or ventricular contractions; fluttering sensation–s/o atrial or ventricular arrhythmias; pounding in neck–s/o AV dissociation–atria are contracting against closed tricuspid or mitral valves, as in reentrant supraventicular arrhythmias, especially AV nodal tachycardia or ventricular premature depolarization, producing cannon A waves in jugular veins with neck pulsations which, if prominent, cause a bulging–'frog sign' Etiology Anxiety, panic disorders, catecholamine excess–eg, in cool-down period after exercise, postural changes–eg, standing abruptly after recumbent position–causing syncope/near syncope Diagnosis Hix, physical exam, 12-lead EKG, Holter monitor Management Reassurance, beta-blockers, CCBs, radio-frequency ablation, modification of sinus node.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

pal·pi·ta·tion

(pal'pi-tā'shŭn)

Forcible or irregular pulsation of the heart, perceptible to the patient, usually with an increase in frequency or force, with or without irregularity in rhythm.
Synonym(s): trepidatio cordis.

[L. palpito, to throb]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

palpitation

Abnormal awareness of the action of the heart, because of rapidity or irregularity. Irregularity is most commonly due to EXTRASYSTOLES each of which causes a brief sense of stoppage. Other causes include ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA and ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Palpitation

Rapid, forceful, throbbing, or fluttering heartbeat.

Mentioned in: Alpha 1 -Adrenergic Blockers, Antiarrhythmic Drugs, Caffeine

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

pal·pi·ta·tion

(pal'pi-tā'shŭn)

Forcible or irregular pulsation of the heart, perceptible to the patient, usually with an increase in frequency or force, with or without irregularity in rhythm.
Synonym(s): trepidatio cordis.

[L. palpito, to throb]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012