2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline for the ...
Is It Stress Or Too Much Caffeine: What Causes A Fast Heart Rate And When To Seek Help
A fast heart rate, or tachycardia, can be accompanied by several sensations like a racing, pounding heartbeat or palpitations, you may experience chest pain, a rapid pulse rate, shortness of breath or even feel lightheaded. But do you know when and why it occurs?
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Vivek Mahajan, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, not only explains what a normal heart rate should be, but also shares the triggers of a fast heart rate.
Also Read: What Does It Mean To Have A Healthy Heart Rate? Expert Answers
What Comprises A Healthy Heart RateIdeally, a heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) is considered as a normal or a healthy heart rate, says Dr Mahajan, adding that patients who have a lower heart rate towards 60 or 70 bpm have a better life span as compared to patients who have a higher heart rate between 80-100 bpm.
According to him, higher heart rates may result in damage to the heart muscles, making them weaker and therefore, it is essential to maintain the heart rate lower around 60-70 bpm, or at least below 80.
What Causes A Fast Heart Rate Or Tachycardia?The American Heart Association (AHA) defines tachycardia as a heart rate of more than 100 bpm.
Dr Mahajan explains, "The heart rate of humans is increased by a system, which is called the sympathetic nervous system from the brain. There are a number of nerve connections to the heart and these secrete certain chemicals which are like epinephrine or noradrenaline. When they increase in quantity, the heart rate can also increase simultaneously."
"The sympathetic nervous system gets activated in stressful situations like fear, anxiety or excitement, and this can lead to an increased heart rate," she notes, further adding that regular exercise can help lower heart rate and strengthen a counter system, which is called the parasympathetic nervous system or the vagal system."
As per research, the parasympathetic nervous system prevails in quiet "rest and digest" conditions, whereas the sympathetic nervous system contributes to a "fight or flight" response in stressful situations.
Those who exercise have a lower heart rate because their parasympathetic nervous system becomes stronger and this counters the sympathetic nervous system. So, when the sympathetic nervous system increases the heart rate, the parasympathetic nervous system reduces the heart rate.
Also Read: Is Your Heart In Good Shape? 5 Important Tests That Can Tell You
Can Caffeine Raise Heart Rate?Dr Mahajan says caffeine can lead to an increase in the sympathetic nervous system activity, which leads to circulation of hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body, increasing the heart rate.
Since the effect may last from 30 minutes to an even greater period of time, hence, the patient should not have consumed caffeine in the last 30-40 minutes when taking the blood pressure as both the blood pressure and the heart rate can increase because of the caffeinated drink.
When Is Fast Heart Rate Or Tachycardia Concerning?A tachycardia or fast heart rate is usually harmless. However, you must consult a doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 bpm or if you're not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is below 60 beats a minute, according to Mayo Clinic. In addition, if a fast heart rate occurs with shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and chest pain, seek medical help immediately.
How Do You Lower Your Resting Heart Rate?
A rapid heart rate can indicate a health problem. Ways of lowering the heart rate include breathing and relaxation techniques, exercise, vagal maneuvers, dietary choices, and stress management.
A person's heart rate, or pulse rate, refers to how many times the heart beats within a minute. A typical resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm).
However, some people may have a resting heart rate over 100 bpm, which is known as tachycardia. This may indicate an underlying health condition, such as an arrhythmia.
This article looks at different causes for a high pulse rate, ways to lower it, and how to calculate the ideal target range.
Several factors may increase a person's heart rate, including:
If a person is experiencing an elevated heart rate, there are certain things they can try to help bring it down.
ExercisingThe most effective way to achieve a lasting lower heart rate is to do regular exercise.
A 2018 meta-analysis found that regular exercise could consistently lower resting heart rate. Although any kind of exercise can be helpful, the authors suggest that yoga and endurance training may be the most beneficial.
Staying hydratedWhen the body is dehydrated, the amount of blood flowing through the body is reduced, so the heart has to work harder to stabilize blood flow.
A 2017 study found that a 335-milliliter drink of water could reduce resting heart rate over a 30-minute period. This decline continued for another 30 minutes.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that females consume 11.5 cups, or 2.7 liters (L), of water per day, while males should consume 15.5 cups (3.7 L).
This includes water found in food and other beverages, too.
Limiting intake of stimulantsStimulants can cause dehydration, increasing the heart's workload.
For example, high doses of caffeine can lead to dehydration. However, there is no reliable scientific evidence that typical tea or coffee consumption can cause an increased resting heart rate through dehydration.
Limiting alcohol intakeDrinking alcohol may increase a person's risk of developing some health conditions, such as:
Research that experts presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association 2018 Congress showed that a higher breath alcohol concentration was associated with increases in heart rate.
This could be due to alcohol creating an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
The body activates the sympathetic system in the fight or flight response. It activates the parasympathetic system in the rest and digest response.
Eating a nutritious, balanced dietResearch on the effects of diet on heart rate is limited.
A 2003 study of nearly 9,800 males found that those who ate fish had a lower heart rate than those who did not. That said, a wide variety of foods may promote good heart health, including:
Vagal maneuversVagal maneuvers are techniques that can help lower a person's heart rate. They target the vagus nerve, which has a key function in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Three common types of vagal maneuvers include:
Other less common maneuvers include:
It is important that a person speaks with a doctor before trying any vagal maneuvers.
Getting enough sleepA chronic lack of sleep puts stress on the whole body, including the heart. A 2020 study found that deviating from their usual bedtimes increased people's resting heart rates.
Maintaining a healthy body weightExtra weight puts stress on the body and heart, which could lead to an increased heart rate.
A 2019 article suggests that an increase in body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased resting heart rate.
Similarly, a 2020 study of 60 people ages 18-45 found that those with obesity had higher resting heart rates than those who did not have obesity.
Reducing stressStress may cause the heart and body to work harder to maintain its usual rhythm. A 2021 study of 69 people found that higher exposure to stressful life events may increase people's heart rates.
Seeking counseling or psychological servicePeople cannot always resolve stressful situations and life events on their own.
Traumatic experiences, grief, and certain mental health conditions stress the body, which can sometimes make it harder for people to perform everyday activities. In these cases, counseling and therapy may be helpful.
Getting outdoorsSome techniques for lowering the heart rate involve changing environments.
For example, in a 2013 review, a decrease in heart rate measurements was associated with exposure to forest environments. This suggests that these natural spaces may have stress-reducing properties.
Practicing relaxation techniquesRelaxation techniques may also have a positive effect on stress.
A 2021 study found that while people were meditating, their heart rate decreased and stabilized to a normal rhythm.
A person can calculate their maximum heart rate by subtracting their age in years from 220. A healthy heart rate range is usually 50–70% of this maximum during moderate exercise.
During strenuous activity, the healthy range will be 70–85% of the maximum heart rate.
Average heart rate ranges during activity are:
An easy way to check the pulse is by placing the index and middle finger on the wrist and counting how many heartbeats occur within 60 seconds. This is known as the radial pulse.
It is best to measure the pulse after periods of rest. For this reason, a person should ideally count their heartbeats first thing in the morning before getting out of bed.
An elevated heart rate is typically a natural physical response to environmental or other stressors. However, a high resting heart rate for long periods can signal an underlying medical condition.
If someone's average heart rate is unusually high because of an underlying health condition, medical interventions such as beta-blockers may be necessary.
Doctors may prescribe beta-blockers to treat a variety of conditions, such as:
A person should speak with a doctor if:
A doctor may perform a physical examination and evaluate the thyroid, as well as check electrolyte levels and blood counts. They may also do other tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Below are some frequently asked questions about resting heart rate.
Why is my resting heart rate so high?An increased resting heart rate may be associated with electrical or structural abnormalities in the heart, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Certain conditions may increase a person's heart rate, such as:
What is considered a dangerously high heart rate?A normal resting heart rate is between 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) for adults. People with persistently higher heart rates than this are at a greater risk of certain health conditions, including:
Changes in heart rate happen naturally throughout the day. A resting heart rate is a sign of the heart's health.
A consistently high heart rate may indicate health issues and could lead to adverse outcomes.
However, many people can lower their resting heart rate through lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Living With Arrhythmia: Tips For Managing Your Heart Rhythm Disorder
SOURCES:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "Arrhythmia," "Who Needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator?" "How Does an ICD Work?" "How Will an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Affect My Lifestyle?" "Living with an Arrhythmia."
American Academy of Family Physicians: "Arrhythmia."
Cleveland Clinic: "Arrhythmia," "Dos and Don'ts: Life with an ICD," "Don't Let Heart Disease Derail Your Travel Plans," "Biventricular Pacemaker," "Pulmonary Vein Isolation," "Physical Examination," "Dysrhythmia."
Harvard Health Publishing: "Cardiac Arrhythmias," "What is a normal heart rate?" "Antidepressants and arrhythmias."
American Heart Association: "Arrhythmia," "Holter Monitor," "Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)," "FAQs About Atrial Fibrillation," "Prevention and Treatment of Arrhythmia," "FAQs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)," "About Arrhythmia," "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack," "Living with Your Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator," "Electrophysiology Studies (EPS)."
Merck Manual Consumer Version: "Sinus Node Dysfunction."
Johns Hopkins University: "Holter Monitor."
NIH: "Who Needs a Holter or Event Monitor?"
Zimetbaum, P. Circulation, Oct. 19, 2010.
University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center: "Frequently Asked Questions: Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)."
Texas Heart Institute: "Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)."
International Society for Sexual Medicine: "Can a Person with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Have Sex Regularly?" "How Might an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Affect a Person's Sex Life?"
Transportation Security Administration: "TSA Travel Tips Tuesday: Traveling With Personal Medical Electronic Devices."
Up-to-Date: "Patient education: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (Beyond the Basics)."
European Heart Journal: "Driving and arrhythmia: a review of scientific basis for international guidelines."
Maine Department of Motor Vehicles: "Cardiovascular Disorders."
American College of Cardiology: "When Is It Safe to Resume Driving After ICD Implantation."
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: "Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers."
The BMJ: "Driving and arrhythmias."
Mayo Clinic: "Brugada syndrome," "Heart arrhythmia," "Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement," "Coronary artery bypass surgery," "What's a normal resting heart rate?"
NHS Choices: "Brugada syndrome."
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Brugada syndrome."
American Academy of Family Physicians: "High Blood Pressure Medicines."
Edward-Elmhurst Health: "Know the symptoms of arrhythmia and when to worry."
Marshfield Clinic Health System: "HEART ARRHYTHMIA."
Medanta: "Heart Palpitations: 10 Reasons That Causes This Heart Ailment."
Mount Sinai: "Atrial fibrillation or flutter."
NYU Langone Health: "Lifestyle Changes for Atrial Fibrillation & Atrial Flutter."
Penn Medicine: "Surgical Treatment of Arrhythmias."
Comments
Post a Comment