
If you are concerned regarding high resting heart rate, its symptoms, and causes, this HealthHearty article will be a helpful read. Going through this article will acquaint you with many aspects associated with tachycardia in medical terms.
The heart rate is pretty much of a good indicator, when it comes to evaluating the health of a person. The condition whereby the heart rate of a person exceeds the normal range is tachycardia condition. The resting heart rate is evaluated, when a person is inactive or asleep.
Tachycardia occurs, when the heart rate exceeds the upper threshold of normal heart rate range. The range of normal resting heart rate in adults is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. When the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute (high maximum heart rate threshold) consistently, a person is said to be suffering from tachycardia.
The functioning of the human heart and the timing of its blood circulating action is controlled by electrical signals generated in the heart tissue. An abnormality in this timing mechanism or other external lifestyle related factors can cause tachycardia. The chaotic electrical signals can lead to an irregular, rapid rhythm of the ventricles. The condition may not allow the ventricles to fill and contract efficiently. The heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. As a result, organs and tissues may be deprived of oxygen. Temporary episodes of high heart rate condition shouldn’t be a cause of concern, but consistent tachycardia shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it can have serious consequences like a stroke, cardiac arrest, and even death.
A high resting rate means that the heart is overworking itself, while pumping blood less efficiently, and starving many parts of the body of adequate blood supply, including itself. Here are some of the prime symptoms that may accompany tachycardia.
- Rapid Pulse
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Lightheadedness
- Heart Palpitations
- Fainting
- Chest Pain
A person suffering from tachycardia may display one or more of these symptoms. It is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible, if these symptoms are noticed.
What causes the heart to go berserk and pump blood at such a high rate? There are many reasons why this can happen. Here are some of the prime causes that may lead to tachycardia:
- Heart Disease
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Heavy Consumption of Alcohol
- Smoking
- Heavy Caffeine Intake
- Hyperthyroidism
- Electrolyte Imbalance
- High Fever
- Anemia
- Intensive Exercise
- Consumption of Recreational Drugs Like Cocaine
- Reaction to Medicinal Drugs
- Extreme Stress and Anxiety
Majority of the causes of tachycardia are related to the kind of lifestyle adopted by an individual. There are many types of tachycardia depending on the area of the heart, whose functioning and electrical signaling mechanism is affected.
Tachycardia during pregnancy is attributed to the higher need of blood, that a pregnant mother needs to support a fetus along with her own body. However, a consistently high heart rate at rest, substantially exceeding 100 beats per minute can be a cause of concern, and should be immediately reported to a gynecologist. Otherwise, average heart rate elevating to about 85 beats per minute is quite normal for a pregnant woman.
The treatment can happen through lifestyle changes and correction of the electrical signaling mechanism anomaly through electroconversion or use of medicinal drugs. A consistently high heart rate should not be ignored. Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests may reveal the exact cause behind the problem. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding the use of stimulants like caffeine and nicotine may help in overcoming episodes of tachycardia. Living a life of balance is the key to live a long and healthy life.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.