Borderline or occasional bradycardia may not need treatment. But prolonged bradycardia, or bradycardia that is not treated, can become more serious. If you are already living with heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart disease and notice a fluctuation in your heart rate, you should go to the doctor as soon as you can, as it could be a sign of a serious complication.
It could be a sign of a serious heart complication, and you should get yourself to the doctor or the emergency room as soon as you can. While there are a wide variety of wearable devices that can help you check your own heart rate, you can also do it manually.
The American Heart Association has a simple method :. Tachycardia, which again is when your heart rate is faster than it should be, can be caused by underlying health conditions, such as:. Taking illegal drugs such as stimulants, like cocaine or methamphetamines or misusing both prescription and non-prescription medicines like diet pills may also cause your heart to beat too fast.
Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will work with you to develop a plan to treat and manage your condition.
You should always aim to take good care of your heart. This includes doing things like exercising regularly , eating a variety of heart-healthy foods , minimizing alcohol, and managing your weight.
Additionally, you should visit your doctor regularly for physicals. Not only is it good practice, but it can also help with early detection of things like high cholesterol or blood pressure abnormalities.
If you already have heart disease, you should carefully monitor your condition and stick to your treatment plan. Take all medications as instructed by your doctor. Be sure to promptly report any new or worsening symptoms. Resting heart rate can vary from person to person and can be influenced by a variety of factors. The normal heart rate for children changes as they age. Both tachycardia fast heart rate and bradycardia low heart rate are typically indicators of other health conditions.
If left untreated, they can lead to potentially serious health complications. While not all of these reasons are dangerous, some could be signs of heart trouble. An ideal running heart rate will vary from person to person depending on several characteristics like fitness level and age.
But the American Heart…. Premature ventricular contractions PVCs often cause this feeling. A heartbeat that is occasionally irregular usually is not a concern if it does not cause other symptoms, such as dizziness, light-headedness , or shortness of breath.
It is not uncommon for children to have extra heartbeats. In healthy children, an extra heartbeat is not a cause for concern. Many changes in heart rate or rhythm are minor and do not require medical treatment if you do not have other symptoms or a history of heart disease. Smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine, or taking other stimulants such as diet pills or cough and cold medicines may cause your heart to beat faster or skip a beat. Your heart rate or rhythm can change when you are under stress or having pain.
Your heart may beat faster when you have an illness or a fever. Hard physical exercise usually increases your heart rate, which can sometimes cause changes in your heart rhythm.
Natural health products, such as goldenseal, oleander, motherwort, or ephedra also called ma huang , may cause irregular heartbeats.
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to have minor heart rate or rhythm changes. These changes usually are not a cause for concern for women who do not have a history of heart disease. Well-trained athletes usually have slow heart rates with occasional pauses in the normal rhythm. Evaluation is usually not needed unless other symptoms are present, such as light-headedness or fainting syncope , or there is a family history of heart problems.
Irregular heartbeats change the amount of blood that flows to the lungs and other parts of the body. The amount of blood that the heart pumps may be decreased when the heart pumps too slow or too fast. Changes such as atrial fibrillation that start in the upper chambers of the heart can be serious, because they increase your risk of forming blood clots in your heart. This in turn can increase your risk for having a stroke or a blood clot in your lungs pulmonary embolism.
People who have heart disease , heart failure , or a history of heart attack should be more concerned with any changes in their usual heart rhythm or rate. Fast heart rhythms that begin in the lower chambers of the heart are called ventricular arrhythmias. They include ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. These types of heart rhythms make it hard for the heart to pump enough blood to the brain or the rest of the body and can be life-threatening.
Ventricular arrhythmias may be caused by heart disease such as heart valve problems, impaired blood flow to the heart muscle ischemia or a heart attack , a weakened heart muscle cardiomyopathy , or heart failure. Symptoms of ventricular tachycardia include palpitations, feeling dizzy or light-headed, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and fainting or near-fainting.
Ventricular fibrillation may cause fainting within seconds and causes death if not treated. Emergency medical treatment may include medicines and electrical shock defibrillation. Taking illegal drugs such as stimulants, like cocaine or methamphetamine or misusing prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause serious heart rhythm or rate changes and may be life-threatening. The use of ephedra, a stimulant sold for weight loss and sports performance, is restricted in Canada, and the U.
Ephedra has been linked to heart attacks , strokes , and some sudden deaths. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Heartbeat changes can include:. Many things can make the heart beat faster or slower than usual. Some common examples are:. Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury. Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury. Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. Symptoms of a heart attack may include:.
For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:. Severe trouble breathing means:. Moderate trouble breathing means:.
Mild trouble breathing means:. Many medicines and drugs can affect the rate and rhythm of the heart. A few examples are:. Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Call or other emergency services now. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.
But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.
The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. Home treatment can help relieve some problems that cause changes in your heart rate.
When you think you have a change in your heart rate or rhythm:. You may find it helpful to keep a record of the date and time that you noticed the change. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You often can reduce or prevent changes in your heart rate or rhythm. Knowing CPR could be useful for anyone. Many parents learn CPR so they know what to do if their children need it. People who have family members with a heart problem also should learn CPR.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. If you have kept a record of your heart rate or rhythm changes, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Topic Overview Your heart normally beats in a regular rhythm and rate that is just right for the work your body is doing at any moment.
When heart rate or rhythm changes are minor Many changes in heart rate or rhythm are minor and do not require medical treatment if you do not have other symptoms or a history of heart disease. When heart rate or rhythm changes are more serious Irregular heartbeats change the amount of blood that flows to the lungs and other parts of the body. Check Your Symptoms Do you have a concern about your heartbeat or heart rhythm? How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female?
Limit alcohol intake: Most forms of alcohol dehydrate the body. Alcohol is also a toxin, and the body must work harder to process and remove it. Eat a healthy, balanced diet: Eating a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, and legumes can help to improve the health of the heart, as well as overall health.
Foods and supplements rich in antioxidants and healthy fats can lower blood pressure and make it easier for the heart to pump. A variety of supplements are available for purchase online, including multivitamins , omega-3 supplements , and fiber supplements. Get enough sleep: A chronic lack of sleep puts stress on the whole body, including the heart. Most adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night.
Maintain a healthy body weight: Extra weight also puts stress on the body and heart. Reduce or resolve sources of substantial long-term stress: Stress caused by work, caring for a loved one, or financial burdens all cause the heart and the rest of the body to work harder, to maintain a normal rhythm and flow.
Seek counseling or psychological services: Traumatic experiences, grief, and certain mental health conditions stress the body and can impact brain chemistry, making it harder for people to cope with everyday activities and stressors. Get outdoors: Research shows that people who spend more time in nature, even by taking a short walk in the woods or a park, tend to be happier and less stressed than people who do not.
Practice relaxation techniques: Activities that increase self-awareness and mindfulness, such as meditation and guided visualization, can help to reduce stress when practiced routinely. A relatively low resting heart rate is considered healthy, while a high resting heart rate may increase the risk of various conditions.
A lower heart rate allows the heart to maintain a healthful rhythm and respond to routine stressors efficiently. These may include exercise, illness, and day-to-day activities.
Having a relatively low heart rate is a significant contribution to overall health. An abnormally high heart rate can lead to a variety of health risks and conditions. A healthy resting heart rate will vary from person to person. For most people, however, a target resting heart rate is between 60 and beats per minute bpm. A person can calculate their maximum heart rate by subtracting their age in years from A healthful heart rate range is usually 50—70 percent of this maximum during moderate exercise.
Stress may cause a high heart rate. When these cells need more oxygen, as during exercise, the brain sends messages to the heart, causing myocytes to make stronger, more frequent pulses.
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