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palpitations, flip-flop or flutter
Can anyone tell me whether the terms "palpitations", "flip-flop", and "flutter" are interchangeable. When I think of palpitations, I imagine them to be a rapid heartbeat that is persistent for a period of time, and not just a couple of beats that are wacky. A flip-flop seems to me to be where the heart gives two or three solid thumps, while contrariwise, a flutter is just a few light rapid beats. What causes the differences? Are their different implications?
Do you happen to know at what point the frequency of any of these might indicate a problem?
Technically palpitations refer to being conscious of your heartbeat. Many people don't notice their heart beating (amazing to me!) but some people feel it. A flip-flop is a good description for a PVC for example: a sudden flip or thump that often comes with those. Flutters may be short bursts of tachycardia.
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