What does a rapid pulse indicate?
When you’re at the doctor’s office, and they check your heart rate, what do you think they are measuring? Your love for life or how anxious you are to be there? Unfortunately not! They are trying to determine your pulse. A rapid pulse is one of the common issues people face all over the world. Let us get down to business and see what this means in some detail.
Pulse Rate- The 101
The pulse is nothing but alternating expansion and contraction of an artery wall when the heart pumps blood into it.The rhythmic expansion that we can feel next to our skin surface after positioning fingers gently on certain arteries like neck (carotid) or wrist(radial) helps calculate our heart rate.
Ideal Heart Rate
An ideal adult human resting heart beat ranges from 60 -100 beats per minute, although 72 bpm may be considered normal where elevated levels could indicate hypertension,tachycardia,blood clots or anxiety.
How To Count Your Own Heart Beat:
So now, let’s try something together because teamwork makes dream work — keep your right hand positioned upwards facing yourself with three middle fingertips pressed firmly along either wrist crease until you feel constant pulsation against them.Now count each ‘heartbeat’(i.e time between two successive contractions by ventricles)with digital stopwatch for full minute.
Causes Of Rapid Pulse:
There can be various reasons associated with increased heartbeat/rapid pulse ranking from simple panic attacks through disorders requiring medical intervention;both serious & non-serious!.Hence it becomes important look out symptoms which enable individual diagnoses without any delays!
Some causes might include:
- Anxiety Disorder
- Stress Due To Public Speaking(mostly seen occurring before job interviews!)
- Poor Diet Practices:Regular caffeine intake,sugar laden beverages,vitamjn deficiency etc
- Endocrine System Imbalance: Hyperthyroidism Adrenaline Surges
- Cardiovascular disease: Arrhythmia,Heart Valve Problems Or Coronary Artery Disease Occurance
Medications That Increase Heart Rate
Did you know “Medicines meant to cure may cause bitter side effects eventually”? Yes, that’s right!In fact such compounds activate release of norepinephrine or related catecholamine hormones.Physiological response is equivalent (in intensity )to feeling ‘on edge’(i.e. body produce adrenaline!)
Below are some common medications which can result in increasing heart rates with chronic use:
| Category | Medication |
|---|---|
| Anti-Asthmatic | Ventolin(albuterol) |
| Stimulant | Adderall |
| Substitutes for Nicotine Withdrawl | Zyban |
| Thyroid Hormones | Levothyroxine/Synthroid |
How Do They Work?
The above-mentioned medicines operate by widening blood vessels supplying nutrition and oxygen rich blood to relevant organs/tissues including lungs,heart.However this combined effect does wonder of incrementing both stroke volume(i.e. volume expelled by ventricles) as well as heart beat rate.
When low Pulse Rate Matters:
On certain occasions having lower-than-normal pulse rate is equally detrimental needing accompanied medical attention.
Few Critical Instances Of Low Heart Rate Include :
- Hypothyroidsm(Hypoactivity of thyroid gland due under secretion thyroxine hormone )
- Use Of Beta Blockers Result In Slowing Down/Decreasing Heartrates Especially patients whose pacemaker cells slow down quite frequently
- Sinoatrial Node Dysfunction.
Signs And Consequences :
Let us now discuss some signals potentially experienced while firm pressing fingers along either neck/wrist artery.
Following Below Are Few Common Symptoms Promptly Highlighting Higher Heart Rate:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Dizziness/Lightheadedness
- Chest Pain/Discomfort
- Palpitation(Aberrant feel of heartbeats)
- Sweating
Experiencing any combination of above effects definitely warrants seeking expert medical advice .So better do not ignore symptoms.
My Take (^_^)
Now you understand the reasons why rapid pulse can raise alarm bells! To reiterate, it is essential to look out for yourselves more while gauging signs and symptoms even if it feels uncomfortable. Do stay aware because prevention is always better than cure especially when at a lower cost.
In hindsight, now isn’t this why regular health check-ups are most beneficial? Let’s appreciate our body in its entirety, take care of ourselves and make conscious decisions so that we live better every day. After all – Health Is Wealth!!!