hjartslátta

Hjartslátta is an Icelandic noun that refers to the heartbeat or the rhythm of the heart. In everyday language it denotes the beating of the heart as a physical sensation, while in medical contexts it is used to describe the heart rate and rhythm as observable phenomena or indicators of health. The term is a compound of hjarta, meaning heart, and slátta, meaning to strike or beat, reflecting the image of the heart actively beating.

In clinical settings, hjartslátta is discussed when assessing cardiovascular function, detecting rhythm disturbances, or evaluating symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or chest discomfort. It is commonly described in terms of rate (how many beats per minute) and regularity (whether the rhythm is steady or irregular). The concept underpins standard physiological measurements such as pulse rate and electrocardiography.

The word appears in Icelandic medical dictionaries, textbooks, and patient information materials. It is also used in everyday language and in educational or journalistic writing to explain how the heart functions during rest and activity.

See also: Heart rate, Heart rhythm, Arrhythmia, Palpitations.