A rapid heartbeat, or tachycardia, is a condition in which the heart is beating fast, generally more than 100 beats per minute for an adult. A rapid heartbeat can be normal, or it can result from a disease, disorder or other harmful condition. The heart pumps blood to the lungs and the rest of the body by contracting its four chambers.
- A normal resting heart rate is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute. The best time to measure it is right after you wake up when you’re still in bed. Place a finger on the side of your neck or against your wrist until you feel your pulse. Then count the number of beats in 60 seconds.
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- If your pulse pressure is greater than 60 it's considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially for older adults. Stiffness of the body's largest artery, the aorta, is the leading cause of increased pulse pressure in older adults.
George, the patient we have been following through the Understanding AFib series, found it easy to recognize when his heart was in atrial fibrillation (AFib) and beating very quickly (at 150 beats per minute). Like a heart dancing without rhythm, the rapid, irregular heart rate made him unable to exert himself.
Once George started the beta blocker, metoprolol, to slow down his heart, he felt better. But it became more difficult for him to tell whether his heart was in a normal pattern of beating or in AFib.
His doctor ordered a three-day, continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor that confirmed he was in AFib several times for an hour at a time. He would have benefited from knowing when he was in AFib earlier, without having to wait for the test results.
In previous posts, we discussed blood thinning medications that reduce the chances of stroke and medications used to slow down the heart. But as you might guess, drugs are only part of the strategy to remain healthy with AFib.
Several other important, heart-healthy strategies, include:
- Avoid stimulants, including excessive caffeine, that can speed up the heart.
- Take your heart-rate control medications consistently. Heart rates can speed up very quickly when beta blockers are stopped abruptly.
- Limit alcohol consumption. It is generally safe for women to have one drink per day and for men to have two.
It is also very useful to recognize when you are in AFib. While some people immediately know when their heart is in AFib because of palpitations, chest fluttering, shortness of breath, or other symptoms. Others may not have obvious indicators.
You can tell you are in AFib by paying close attention to whether your heartbeat is regular or irregular:
- Begin by placing your right hand on the left side of your chest while seated and leaning forward.
- Position your hand so that you feel your heartbeat most strongly with your fingertips.
- A normal heart rhythm should feel like a regular drum beat cadence; you can usually anticipate when each beat will come after the last beat.
- Because heart rate and the strength of the heartbeat can vary with breathing, sometimes holding your breath for a few seconds is helpful. With an irregular rhythm, it will be hard to predict when the next beat will come.
- In addition, some irregular beats will be softer (less strong) than other beats, so the strength as well as the timing may not be consistent.
An ECG or continuous ECG monitor is the only foolproof way to tell if AFib is present, but learning to recognize symptoms and gain greater awareness of when it is occurring can be a crucial part of managing your health.
A second self-care skill is the ability to measure your heart rate. A very rapid heart rate can tell you when you need to seek medical care. Remember, an optimal heart rate is between 50 and 100 beats per minute when you are at rest.
To measure your heart rate:
- Place your right hand over your heart so that you feel your heart beating under your fingertips.
- Use a watch or timer and count the number of beats for 15 seconds.
- Be sure to count all heartbeats; including beats that are not as strong or that come quickly following one another.
- Take the number of beats you’ve counted and multiply it by four. For example, if you count 30 beats in 15 seconds, then you would calculate 4 x 30 = 120 beats per minute.
- Repeat this process three times right away, writing down each heart rate to later share with your doctor.
It is also possible to use an automatic blood pressure cuff that measures heart rate.
In the next blog post, I'll review the drugs and procedures that may help the heart return to a normal, regular rhythm.
Fast Pulse After Eating
This is the fifth post in the Understanding AFib series to help patients with atrial fibrillation live healthier lives. George H. is an actual patient with some details altered to protect his confidentiality.
Randall Stafford, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine at Stanford and practices primary care internal medicine. Stafford and Stanford cardiologist Paul Wang, MD, lead an American Heart Association effort to improve stroke prevention decision-making in atrial fibrillation.
Illustration by Vinita Bharat/Fuzzy Synapse
Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable.
Your heart may feel like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for just a few seconds or minutes. You may also feel these sensations in your throat or neck.
Palpitations may seem alarming, but in most cases they're harmless and are not a sign of a serious problem.
Sometimes you may feel an extra or missed beat. These are known as ectopic beats and are also usually nothing to worry about.
Causes of heart palpitations
Causes of heart palpitations include:
- lifestyle triggers
- emotions and psychological triggers
- medicines
- hormone changes
- heart rhythm problems
- heart conditions
- other medical conditions
Lifestyle triggers
Common triggers of heart palpitations include:
- strenuous exercise
- drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks
- illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis
- rich or spicy foods
In these cases, the palpitations should go away on their own. Avoiding these triggers may help stop them from coming back.
Emotional or psychological triggers
Heart palpitations are also often caused by emotions or psychological issues, such as:
- excitement or nervousness
- stress or anxiety
- panic attacks – an overwhelming sense of anxiety or fear, accompanied by feeling sick, sweating, trembling and palpitations
Doing breathing exercises and learning how to deal with a panic attack may help if you're feeling stressed, anxious or panicked.
Medicines
Palpitations can occasionally be triggered by some medicines, including:
- asthma inhalers, such as salbutamol and ipratropium bromide
- high blood pressure (hypertension) medicines, such as hydralazine and minoxidil
- antihistamines, such as terfenadine
- antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin
- antidepressants, such as citalopram and escitalopram
- antifungal medicines, such as itraconazole
Speak to a GP if you think a medicine may be causing your heart palpitations. But do not stop taking a prescribed treatment without first getting medical advice.
What Does A High Pulse Rate Indicate
Hormone changes
Heart palpitations in women can sometimes be the result of hormonal changes that happen during:
- pregnancy
- the menopause
In these cases, the palpitations are usually temporary and not a cause for concern.
Heart rhythm problems
Palpitations are sometimes caused by a problem with the heart rhythm (arrhythmia), such as:
- atrial fibrillation – this is the most common type, where the heart beats irregularly and faster than normal
- atrial flutter – a fast and irregular heartbeat
- supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) – abnormally fast heart rate
- ventricular tachycardia – a more serious condition where the regular heartbeat is typically fast. It can be associated with dizziness or blackouts
Heart conditions
Some palpitations may be associated with other types of heart conditions, such as:
- a problem with the heart valves, such as mitral valve prolapse
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – where the heart muscle and walls of the heart become enlarged and thickened
- heart failure – where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly
- congenital heart disease – birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart
Some of these conditions can be serious and often require treatment.
Other medical conditions
Other conditions that can cause heart palpitations include:
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) – where the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormones
- a low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) – this is most commonly associated with diabetes
- types of anaemia, which affects the red blood cells
- postural or orthostatic hypotension – dizziness and low blood pressure triggered by changing position (such as standing up)
- a high temperature
When to see a GP
You do not usually need to see a GP if the palpitations pass quickly and only happen occasionally. They're unlikely to be caused by a serious problem and probably will not need treatment.
But it's a good idea to see a GP if:
- the palpitations last a long time, do not improve or get worse
- you have a history of heart problems
- you're concerned about the palpitations
To help find the cause, a GP may:
- ask about your symptoms and medical history
- arrange a blood test
- carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart rate (if the GP has the equipment available)
Fast Pulse Pregnancy
If you cannot have an ECG at the GP surgery or the GP wants to arrange heart monitoring over a longer time period, you may be referred for tests at a local hospital.
When to get emergency help
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you have heart palpitations and any of the following symptoms:
- severe shortness of breath
- chest pain or tightness
- dizziness or light-headedness
- fainting or blackouts
These symptoms could indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening heart problem that should be checked by a doctor straight away.
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Page last reviewed: 24 October 2019
Next review due: 24 October 2022