what causes a faster heart beat?

Question

starting about 2 weeks ago my heart will just start racing out of the blue...wether im sitting at the computer or watching tv or even laying in bed. i can literally feel my heart beating. what could be the cause of this?

Answer 1

It is normal for heart rate to increase noticably from the simple act of standing up from a sitting or horizontal position. However, it sounds as it you've got more going on than that.

This may be some sort of cardiac arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias are not serious while others are very much so. Best to get this checked out by a physician.

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/arrhythmias/ct099102.pdf

Do you have high blood pressure? Is your resting heart rate normally high? Tachycardia is a resting heart rate more than ~100 beats per minute (this # depends on the person's size).

Some possible causes (other than heart defects) -- dehydration, stress, abnormal blood sugar levels, hyper-sensitivity to caffeine or alcohol. Smoking tobacco & various drugs can also account for this.

You blood sugar levels may be out of whack if you are diabetic or if you only eat 1 or 2 meals a day.

Things to do:
~ see a doctor
~ drink plenty of water
~ eat 3-5 balanced meals per day
~ moderate cardio exercise (don't overdo)
~ avoid snacks that have a high glycemic LOAD
~ cut back on salt, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine & other drugs
...

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

There are different treatments depending on how fast the heart rate is, if the heart rate is between 100 and 120, then I would suggest you see your doctor and have them check you over to ensure everything is fine.
A heart rate greater than 120 can be a sign of a few problems, sometime in young female this heart rate could be a problem with the thyroid levels. It could be something were call PSVT
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a rapid heart rate , which occurs from time to time (paroxysmal). PSVT starts with events taking place above the ventricles.
Normally, the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) contract in a coordinated manner. The contractions are caused by an electrical signal that begins in the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node). The signal is conducted through the atria (the upper heart chambers) and stimulates the atria to contract.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) can be initiated in the SA node; in the atria or the atrial conduction pathways; or in the AV node. It occurs most often in young people and infants.

Risks include smoking, caffeine , alcohol use , and illicit drug use. PSVT can occur with digitalis toxicity . It can be a form of a re-entry tachycardia (an electrical current is caught in a reentrant loop, excessively stimulating the heart), as in the case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome .
Symptoms:

* Palpitations (a sensation of feeling the heart beat)
* Rapid pulse
* Anxiety , feeling of impending doom
* Shortness of breath
* Chest tightness

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

* Fainting
* Dizziness

Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly, and can last for a few minutes or several hours. A PSVT lasting more than 50% of the day is considered an incessant PSVT.
Signs and tests:

An examination during a PSVT episode detects a rapid heart rate. The heart rate may be 150 to 250 beats per minute (bpm) (in children the heart rate tends to be very high). There may be signs of poor perfusion (blood circulation) such as light-headedness. Between episodes of PSVT, the heart rate is normal (60 to 100 bpm).

* An ECG during symptoms shows PSVT.
* Because of the sporadic nature of the PSVT, its diagnosis may require continuous ambulatory monitoring. The most common is the 24-hour Holter monitoring . For longer recording periods, a "loop recorder" (with computer memory) is used.
* An electrophysiology study (EPS) is often necessary for an accurate diagnosis, and to recommend the best treatment.
PSVT can occur with few or no symptoms, and may not require treatment. If symptoms occur or there are underlying cardiac disorders, treatment may be necessary.

People having an episode of PSVT can try to interrupt the episode with a Valsalva maneuver. This consists of holding the breath and straining (pushing with the abdomen as if to provoke a bowel movement) or coughing while sitting with the upper body bent forward. Splashing ice water on the face has been reported by some people as helpful.

Persons having an episode of PSVT may be offered therapy to interrupt the arrhythmia and convert it to a normal sinus rhythm. In the emergency room, a health care provider may massage the carotid arteries in the neck in an attempt to interrupt the arrhythmia. Caution -- do not try this at home! This technique can cause severe slowing of the heart rate.

Electrical cardioversion ( shock ) is successful in conversion of PSVT to a normal sinus rhythm in many cases. Another way to rapidly convert a PSVT is to administer intravenous medications, including adenosine and verapamil. Other medications may be used, such as procainamide, beta-blockers, and propafenone.

Aside from treating isolated episodes of PSVT, some patients may require a long-term or definitive treatment of the PVST which is directed toward the prevention or complete eradication of further episodes or arrhythmia. Such long-term treatment includes:

* Daily medications -- such as propafenone, flecainide, moricizine, sotalol, and amiodarone.
* Radiofrequency catheter ablation -- currently the treatment of choice for most PSVT's.
* Surgical modification of the electrical conduction pathway (the pathways in the heart that conduct the impulse to contract) -- this may be recommended in some cases when other heart surgery for other reasons is also indicated.
* Pacemakers -- very occasionally used in children with PSVT who have not responded to any other treatment. The pacemaker is designed to interrupt (override) the tachycardia .

Expectations (prognosis):

PSVT is generally not life-threatening, unless other cardiac disorders are present.
Complications:

* Increased risk of heart failure

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

* You often have a sensation of excessive palpitations and symptoms do not end spontaneously in a few minutes.
* You have a history of PSVT and an episode does not resolve with Valsalva maneuver, or if other symptoms accompany the rapid heart rate.
* Symptoms recur frequently, or new symptoms develop.

Answer 4

something the causes a faster heart beat is when u runing or u eating something so fast or when you eat to much suger or candy and thats what causes it to beat it fast.. study hard dude

Answer 5

Go see a cardiologist--never hurts to make sure you are okay--I don't know your age or history but have seen to many people wait thiking they are silly to find out what is wrong than have major damage or death.

Answer 6

difficult to tell from your given info, from me .i think even from doctors without proper dignosis thru pathological tests,but i can mention some common causes of high pulse rate as
anxiety,panic state..or generalized anxiety disorders (GAD)
Hormonal problems like thyroid gland problems,hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
heart defects like ischemic,valvuler,defects ,coronery arterty diseases
high blood pressure (HTN)
nervousness,worried for long time
taking too much stimulating drink with caffeine (like tea,coffee)
restlessness of mind for long period of time
breathing problems,feeling sort of breathe and asthma..etc.

Answer 7

You may be getting blood pressure problems. I suggest you see your doctor an tell him or her your symptoms so that you can be evaluated and get proper treatment if necessary.

Answer 8

It can be caused by drinking lots of tea or coffee .~~

Answer 9

anxiety
caffeine
hear palpitations (fluttering)
see your Dr but dont worry in the meantime, its probably nothing serious

Answer 10

i think you will be fine i think you should go to the docters just to see what it is