Reasons for High Heart Rate

High Heart Rate

The average heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute is regarded as high (medically termed tachycardia). Heart palpitations are not always dangerous. 

Heart Rate

The number of times your heart beats in a minute is your heart rate.When your heart pumps just the right amount of blood necessary for your body to function when you are at rest, this is known as your resting heart rate. When you’re calm and at rest, your heart rate is measured and this is your resting heart rate.Adults typically have a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Depending on their age, children’s resting heart rates can be higher than adults.Individuals may have different resting heart rates. Your resting heart rate can also be affected by other variables, such as age, degree of exercise, and some drugs.

High Heart Rate

A heart rate that is greater than 100 beats per minute while at rest is referred to as a high heart rate , also known as tachycardia. It can be mild to potentially fatal and originate in either the upper or lower chamber of the heart.Your heart beats quicker than usual for a few seconds to several hours when you have high heart rate or tachycardia. 

Types of High Heart Rate

The various kinds of high heart rate are categorised according to the area of the heart they impact and the cause of the problem , such as:

Sinus High Heart Rate – In this condition, while the heart rate is higher, the rhythm remains consistent. Some of the causes being stress, fever, infection, some medications or problems with thyroid or blood counts.

Inappropriate High Heart Rate – Although the precise cause is unknown to medical professionals in this case, neurological aspects seem to be involved.

Atrial High Heart Rate – This condition starts in the heart’s upper chambers.It frequently starts in both adults and children between the ages of 25 and 40.

Atrial Fibrillation causing High Heart Rate – Heart chambers contract fast and erratically as a result of electrical activity in the atria overriding the heart’s normal pacemaker in this condition.It usually develops in conjunction with another cardiac disease.Individuals over 65 are more likely to be affected.

Atrial Flutter causing High Heart Rate – It is comparable to Atrial Fibrillation.The rhythms of the heart are more consistent in this condition.

Ventricular High Heart Rate – An irregular electrical impulse in the lower chambers causes an accelerated heartbeat in this condition.It could be brought on by drugs, genetic disorders that cause long QT syndrome, prior heart attacks, or other cardiovascular problems.

Ventricular Fibrillation causing High Heart Rate – This is a dangerous disruption of the heart.The ventricles tremble rather than beat in this condition.The body’s blood supply is compromised as a result.

Reasons for High Heart Rate

There are many reasons which can cause an increase in resting heart rate leading to high heart rate.Following are a few of the many reasons:

 

• Temperature – Becoming exposed to high temperatures might cause a rise in heart rate.
• Pain – A stress reaction due to pain could result in an increase in heart rate.
• Medication Side Effects – Certain medications that can increase your resting heart rate.
• Emotions – Your heart rate may go up if you’re feeling nervous or eager.
• Weight – An elevated resting heart rate is possible in obese individuals. This is a result of the heart having to pump blood throughout the body more vigorously.
• Anaemia – When you have anaemia, your heart may beat more quickly to pump blood that is rich in oxygen to your body due to low red blood cell counts.
• Endocrine or Hormonal Abnormalities – Heart rate can be impacted by hormones that are not at normal levels. For instance, heart rate can rise with hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone) and fall with hypothyroidism (insufficiency thyroid hormone).
• Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) –  Unusual elevation of heart rate following sitting or standing is the result of this syndrome. 
• Body Positioning – It is possible for your heart rate to spike momentarily when you stand up from a seated position.
• Smoking – The resting heart rate is often higher in smokers.

When To See a Doctor

If your heartbeat suddenly changes and is accompanied by any of the following, get medical attention or get to the closest emergency department as soon as possible.

• Breathing difficulties
• Painful or constricted chest
• Fainting, lightheadedness or dizziness
• Incapacity to exercise

Preventing High Heart Rate

A healthy heart is the best defence against high heart rate.Get checked out by a doctor frequently. Medications, if any, should be taken as per your doctor’s prescriptions.For heart health and to avoid high heart heart disease, try these tips:

• Quit smoking.
• Consume less saturated fat and salt in your diet.
• Exercising for at least half an hour, 3-5 days a week.
• Keep your weight in check.
• Mitigate and control tension.

Conclusion

Many factors, such as drug reactions, alcohol consumption, stress, and certain medical problems, can cause a pulse that is faster than 100 beats per minute. In the absence of a clear cause, the heart may appear to beat rapidly.Most reasons for a high heart rate are not harmful. A faster-than-normal heartbeat, nevertheless, may indicate a medical issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I have a high heart rate, what can I anticipate?

Your symptoms could be mild , extremely hazardous , or somewhere in between, depending on the type of heart rate you have. Medications and additional therapies can assist you in controlling your symptoms.

2. How long does high heart rate last?

That dangerous high heart rate does not go away by itself. To control it, you’ll need to take medication and lead a healthy lifestyle. To assist you in managing it, you might also require therapy.

3. Can high heart rate be treated?

Medication can help you control your high heart rate along with lifestyle changes.If left untreated, high heart rate can be deadly.Continue taking the medications that your doctor ordered, and make sure you attend all of your follow-up appointments.