What does heart beat mean?

[Tom]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #68 "Synonyms for beat and strike", question 1

Your heart ......... really fast!

(a) strikes
(b) hits
(c) beats
(d) pounds

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #68 "Synonyms for beat and strike", answer 1

Your heart beats really fast!

Correct answer: (c) beats

Your answer was: incorrect
Your heart hits really fast!
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what does it mean heart beat?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Beat is the word we use for the regular contractions of the heart and the rhythmic sound/feeling that it creates. It is both a noun and a verb:

My heart beats fast when I hear our national anthem.
I would move to Hawaii in a heartbeat, if I could. (metaphoric cliche).
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber