You’ve probably noticed that your heart rate rises when you exercise and that it drops when you’re lying in bed. But does your heart rate ever feel elevated for no apparent reason? Show
Having an increased heart rate isn’t a health condition in and of itself; rather, it’s a symptom caused by any number of circumstances. It may be a reaction to something that’s happening in your life, or it may be caused by a health condition. “When you feel your heart pounding in your chest unexpectedly, don’t jump to conclusions that there’s something wrong with your heart, but if the problem continues without an explainable and simple cause, see a doctor to discuss your concerns,” says interventional cardiologist, Ali Moosvi, M.D. A high heart rate (also called tachycardia) may not be related to your heartThese are common reasons why your heart rate may be high:
When an elevated heart rate is caused by lifestyle factors, managing stress or limiting caffeine and other vices may help you stop feeling that your heart is beating too quickly. If you’ve noticed a change in heart rate shortly after you’ve begun taking a new medication, ask your doctor if the drug could be responsible for the change and if an alternative medication or a dosage change is available. When your higher-than-normal heart rate is caused by a condition like anemia or hyperthyroidism, seeing your doctor and managing those conditions should help your heart rate return to normal. Heart conditions that can cause a high heart rateSome people who are born with congenital heart conditions may experience an elevated heartbeat. Other people who develop heart disease over time may notice that their heart rate feels high. When something gets in the way of the heart working properly, it may have to beat more quickly to pump blood more efficiently. Heart conditions which may cause an elevated heart rate include:
If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition and you’ve noticed that your heart rate has become higher than usual, make an appointment to talk to your doctor about the change. When to seek emergency care for a high heart rateGet immediate medical help if your heart rate seems too high and you have these symptoms:
Next Steps & Resources:
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care. OverviewTachycardia, a heart rhythm that’s faster than normal, is more than 100 beats a minute at rest.What is tachycardia?When you have tachycardia, your heart beats faster than normal for a few seconds to a few hours. Normally, your heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute when you’re not active. When your heart beats more than 100 times a minute at rest, that’s tachycardia. Because your heart beats too often, it doesn’t have the time it needs to fill with blood between beats. This can be dangerous if your heart can’t supply all of your cells with the blood and oxygen they need. Your heart normally responds to electrical signals from your heart’s sinoatrial (SA) node. These signals control how often your heart beats. When you’ve had a scare or are very emotional or anxious, or are exercising, your heart may send signals more frequently for a short time. This is called sinus tachycardia and goes away when you calm down or rest. Other types of tachycardia can come back regularly and can be more serious. Types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)These begin in the atria, or upper chambers of your heart, when you have an issue with electrical signals there.
Types of ventricular tachycardiaThese begin in your ventricles, your heart’s lower chambers, when you have an electrical signal issue in that area.
Who does tachycardia affect?Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia can affect:
Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation can affect:
How common is tachycardia?About 2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation and 90,000 others per year get a supraventricular tachycardia diagnosis. Each year, an estimated 184,000 to 450,000 Americans die from ventricular arrhythmias that cause sudden cardiac death. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms?Some people don’t have tachycardia symptoms, while others may have mild to severe symptoms. Tachycardia symptoms may include:
Can tachycardia cause other medical issues?Yes. Without treatment, certain types of tachycardia can lead to:
What causes tachycardia?Tachycardia has a number of causes, including:
Risk factors for tachycardia
Management and TreatmentHow is it treated?Treatments vary depending on the type of tachycardia. Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia treatments
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) treatments
Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation treatments
What can’t I drink with tachycardia?Your healthcare provider may tell you to cut down on your caffeine or alcohol intake if you have tachycardia. What medications/treatments are used?Your healthcare provider may prescribe tachycardia medicines, including:
Complications/side effects of the treatmentAfter an ablation, you may have swelling, bruising or redness where your healthcare provider inserted a catheter for the procedure. Other risks include:
After you get an ICD, there’s a risk of:
How do I take care of myself?Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking your medicines and decreasing your intake of alcohol and caffeine. PreventionHow can I reduce my risk?You can reduce your risk of tachycardia in the following ways:
How can I prevent tachycardia?Limit or avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements. All of these can trigger tachycardia. Taking care of your heart issues or finding alternatives to medicines that cause a problem can help you prevent some forms of tachycardia. Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have tachycardia?Depending on which type of tachycardia you have, you may have harmless symptoms, very dangerous symptoms (from ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) or something in between. Medicines and other treatments can help you control your symptoms. You may need to wear a Holter monitor or do electrophysiology testing to see how well your medicine is working. How long tachycardia lastsTachycardia that puts you in danger doesn’t go away on its own. You’ll need to live a healthier lifestyle and take medicines to control it. You may also need to have a procedure, such as an ablation, to help you manage it. Outlook for tachycardiaAlthough medications can’t cure tachycardia, they can help you control it. Ablation may be a long-term solution to certain types of tachycardia. Ventricular fibrillation can be fatal without immediate treatment. Living WithHow do I take care of myself?Keep taking the medicines your healthcare provider prescribed and be sure to go to all follow-up appointments. When should I see my healthcare provider?Contact your provider if your medicine isn’t helping you as much anymore or if you start having new symptoms. When should I go to the ER?Get help right away if you feel your heart pounding, have chest pain or if you’re fainting or getting dizzy. You should also get help immediately for someone who collapses or is unconscious from ventricular fibrillation. They’ll need CPR to survive until paramedics arrive. What questions should I ask my doctor?
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs tachycardia an arrhythmia?Yes, tachycardia is a kind of arrhythmia in which your heart rate is much faster than normal. Bradycardia is another kind of arrhythmia in which your heart rate is not fast enough. Is tachycardia dangerous?Yes, some types of tachycardia are dangerous, especially ventricular fibrillation. Some tachycardias are mild, and others cause issues that are moderately dangerous. Can tachycardia go away?If you have sinus tachycardia, your symptoms will go away once the fear, anxiety or other emotion that caused it ends. For most other types of tachycardia, you’ll need medication or even a procedure to keep your symptoms from coming back. A note from Cleveland Clinic Tachycardia symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on which type of tachycardia you have. For peace of mind, talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having symptoms. They can tell you if you have a reason to be concerned. Keep taking the medicines your provider prescribed for you, especially heart medicines. Don’t stop taking them without your healthcare provider’s approval. And be sure to keep going to all of your follow-up appointments. What is a dangerously high heart rate?You may want to start with a visit to your health care provider if your heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute or below 60 beats per minute (and you're not an athlete), or if you're also experiencing shortness of breath, fainting spells, lightheadedness or feeling fluttering or palpitations in your chest ...
What does it mean if your heart rate is very high?Heart rates that are consistently above 100, even when the person is sitting quietly, can sometimes be caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. A high heart rate can also mean the heart muscle is weakened by a virus or some other problem that forces it to beat more often to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
Should I go to the ER if my heart rate is over 100?Most people's hearts beat between 60 and 100 times per minute. If you're sitting down and feeling calm, your heart shouldn't beat more than about 100 times per minute. A heartbeat that's faster than this, also called tachycardia, is a reason to come to the emergency department and get checked out.
|
What can happen if your heart rate is too high
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 membukakan Inc.
