The number of coins is totally arbitrary, as they can just be subdivided to the necessary level of precision. Bitcoin could function with any number of coins (even less than one, if the number of decimal places is increased).
Read the replies. Bitcoin divisibility has nothing to do with the matter at hand.
See, I'm reading the thread and it sounds like this is part of the problem you're stating.
So to restate, there are coins that are lost and coins that are hoarded. Just focusing on lost coins,there shouldn't be an issue. Because the value of the remaining coins would climb and, if necessary, the coins can be bit shifted to increase the overall supply.
The purpose of this heartbeat then, is actually focused around hoarders, early adopters who have a large number of coins and for some reason want to keep them rather then entering them into the system. And to force them into the market, is that it?