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palpitation (pal″pĭ-ta´shәn)   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 with runs of rapid beats, and atrial fibrillation.




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