However, it could also be due to an abnormal heart rhythm or other serious conditions.
A rapid heart rate, also known as tachycardia, is defined as a heart rate above 100 bpm.
In certain circumstances, a heart rate higher than what’s considered normal is nothing to worry about.
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It all depends on what you’re doing.
For example, if you are exercising, expect your heart rate to go above 100 bpm.
Alternatively, the pulse can be felt at theradial artery.
To measure heart rate, time yourpulseover 15 seconds and multiply that by four to get beats per minute.
For example, if you count 20 beats over 15 seconds, your heart rate is 80 bpm.
For a more accurate measurement, take your pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
For the most accurate measurement, take your pulse for the entire minute.
What Is a Dangerously Fast Heart Rate?
What Causes Arrhythmias?
The result is an organized contraction that pumps blood most efficiently.
This is called sinus rhythm.
Sometimes, the electrical stimulus gets caught in a feedback loop.
Or, it originates from somewhere outside of the sinus node and results in arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias can be treated with medications, or by special procedures such ascardiac ablation.
Electrocardiogramscan differentiate normal sinus rhythm from various arrhythmias.
Sinus tachycardia can be completely normal when you are exercising or experiencing emotional stress.
Some people may not experience chest pain, but can havenausea, shortness of breath, orfatigue.
Heart rate may be elevated, normal, or low during a heart attack.
This leads to an irregular, abnormal heart rhythm, which often is rapid.
Some people may not have any symptoms or even know that they have been in atrial fibrillation.
Others may experience very unsettling symptoms like:
Patients may benefit from anti-arrhythmic medication or acardiac ablation.
They may be recommended even if your heart rhythm returns to normal, since the risk of stroke remains.
However, while atrial fibrillation is irregular, atrial flutter is a regular rhythm.
Many people with atrial flutter have a heart rate of around 150 bpm.
Atrial flutter is often definitively treated with cardiac ablation.
Supraventricular Tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia(SVT) is any heart rhythm that originates above the ventricles.
SVT is an umbrella term that technically includes sinus tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation.
These arrhythmias may be treated with medication or cardiac ablation in some cases.
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia(VT or “V-tach”) is a serious arrhythmia.
Sustained VT is life-threatening and can lead to cardiac arrest.
When someone experiences VT, they may not have a pulse and thus will requirecardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).
They may also require a cardioversion or defibrillation to get their heart back to a normal rhythm.
The affected person will lose consciousness and have no pulse.People in a VF rhythm require CPR and defibrillation.
Summary
There are several potential causes for a rapid heart rate.
Some may be serious while others are totally harmless and expected.
Contact a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your heart rate.
Any necessary treatment will depend on the underlying cause.
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University of Utah Health.Why is my heart beating so fast?
National Library of Medicine.Sinus tachycardia.
American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.
Boyer M, Koplan BA.Atrial flutter.Circulation.
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doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.540476
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ventricular fibrillation.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Heart rhythms: What’s normal versus cause for concern?
