Understanding
Rapid Heart
Rate
A
rapid heart rate is a heartbeat that is faster than usual. The average
heartbeat for an adult is around 60 to 80 bpm (beats per minute) while
resting. Children will generally have a slightly faster beat than
adults.
A newborn can have a rate of approximately 100
to 160 bpm. The heartbeat is faster when a person is younger and it
will start slowing down until the person dies. There are certain
circumstances that might accelerate the heart beyond the normal rate.
Some of them are not dangerous while others might represent a risk for
a person’s life.
People with a
fast heart
rate can sometimes
experience several symptoms like: chest discomfort, dizziness, changes
in vision, fainting and shortness of breath. Causes of rapid heart rate can
be things such as: exercise, stress, high blood pressure,
anger, asthma, anemia, eating a lot and some heart diseases. If you are
exercising your heartbeat will increase dramatically and that is
perfectly normal. Exercising too much of course can be dangerous;
consult your physician for an appropriate exercise routine. A person
that is resting and have an accelerated heart might health problem.
Stress
and anxiety are very common causes of a faster than normal heart beat.
Emotional stress usually triggers the “fight or flight” response which
will also accelerate the heart. The
stress
response is not dangerous as
long as the duration of it is short. Prolonged stress can cause severe
damage to your body and must never be ignored. There are other
conditions of physical nature that can alter the normal rate of the
heart. An arrhythmia means irregular heart beat and it can be caused by
several conditions. Coronary artery disease, a heart attack, sodium or
potassium imbalances and certain injuries can be the origin of an
arrhythmia.
Arrhythmias are usually the main indicator of a
possible danger to your health. Babies that have an irregular beat are
in danger of suffering congenital heart disease.
Older people with
a rapid heart rate might experience a heart attack, stroke or any other
type of heart disease.
If your heart is beating too fast it might be a
sign of a serious medical condition or it could simply be stress.
Either way is always good to check with your doctor just in case.
Sometimes people underestimate the rapid beat. This can be a very
serious mistake especially in older people. Most heart diseases can be
prevented by eating the correct food and exercising regularly.
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