On this blog, we will talk about how changes in your heart rate—whether it's too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia)—can affect your health.
Tachycardia:
The term refers to when the heart rate is over 100 bpm. However, a fast rate is not always a concern, physical activities raise the heart rate as a response to stress.
Symptoms or complications are not always present, but can be a warning sign that a medical condition needs to be attended to. Diseases such as heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac death can be caused if tachycardia is not treated.
Symptoms that may be present:
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Rapid pulse
- Shortness of breath.
Risk Factors:
These are the most common causes but can vary depending on race, lifestyle, etc.
- Age
- Family history related to heart rhythm disorder.
- High blood pressure
Bradycardia.
This refers to a low heart rate, defined as when the heart beats fewer than 60 bpm (beats per minute).
However, there are situations where a low heart rate can be considered normal. For example, during sleep, young adults with no diseases and athletes, the pulse can fluctuate between 40 to 60 bpm. (Mayo Clinic,2024),So, a slower-than-normal heartbeat is also called Bradycardia.
Symptoms that may be present:
- Chest Pain
- Confusion or memory problems.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Tiredness that exacerbates during physical activity,
- Fainting also called syncope
- Shortness of breath.
Risk Factors:
- Older age
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Stress and anxiety.
Abnormal heart rates can indicate underlying cardiovascular problems or other health issues.
Regularly checking your heart rate can help detect a potential concern early.
FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT MY HEART RATE
Tachycardia and bradycardia are symptoms, not conditions, which means that a variety of factors can influence your heart rate. Here are a few things that could be linked to these symptoms:
- Temperature: An increase in body temperature may increase the heart rate,
- Body Position: Heart rate can change while repositioning, however, it should go back to its normal rate after a few minutes.
- Exercise: During exercise, the heart rate increases as more oxygen is needed by the body.
- Emotions: Anxiety, stress, happiness, and sadness can alter your pulse; also pain can affect it.
- Body Size: Obese people are more willing to have a higher heart rate compared with people without obesity.
- Medication Use: Medications such as Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and those that affect the level of minerals in the body (potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium).
- Habits such as smoking, and excessive alcohol use (14 or more drinks a week for men and 7 or more for women).
- Pregnancy.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY HEART?
This is what the American Heart Association recommends to prevent heart disease:
Regular exercise
Eat nutritious Foods: Reduce your salt and fat consumption and increase your intake of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
Control blood pressure and cholesterol: If you have hypercholesterolemia or high blood pressure, your risk of heart disease increases. However, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk or delay its onset.
Do not smoke: Stop smoking will decrease the risk of heart disease significantly.
Limiting alcohol consumption: Moderate alcohol drinking is part of a healthy lifestyle, this means for women no more than a drink per day, and for men two drinks per day
Stress management: Intense emotions can impact your heart rate; reducing tension by exercising, practicing mindfulness, and joining group support are effective ways to reduce stress.
Keeping an eye on your heart rate can help you catch early signs of a problem. Understanding what's normal for your body is key, whether it’s caused by stress, medication, or a health condition. And remember—if something feels off, always talk to your doctor. Your heart will thank you.
**If you notice any irregularities in one or more vital signs, contact your doctor for a professional opinion. **
Salyx Team
If you want to know more about heart function and diseases, click on the link below: