What describes the sensation of irregular or rapid heartbeats?

The sensation of irregular or rapid heartbeats is commonly described as palpitations. Palpitations are often noticeable feelings of the heart beating faster, fluttering, or skipping beats, which can occur due to a variety of reasons such as stress, anxiety, caffeine consumption, or an underlying medical condition. This term captures the subjective experience of the individual as they perceive their heart's rhythm being out of the ordinary.

On the other hand, while arrhythmia refers to any abnormal heart rhythm, it is a broader medical term that can encompass both palpitations and more serious conditions. Hemorrhage pertains to bleeding, which does not directly relate to heart sensations, and edema describes swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues, also unrelated to heartbeat sensations. Therefore, palpitations specifically identify the experience of feeling one's heart in a way that is perceived as irregular or rapid.