Understanding Concerning Heart Rates: When to Seek Medical Attention

Regular Heart Rates

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body’s circulatory system, ensuring a continuous flow of blood. It beats rhythmically to maintain this flow.

The cardiac cycle starts when the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, serving as a reservoir that primes the right ventricle. The right ventricle then pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The oxygenated blood moves to the left atrium and then the left ventricle, which contracts to push the oxygen-rich blood into the arteries, supplying vital organs with oxygen and nutrients.

The heart’s rhythmic contractions are initiated and coordinated by electrical signals from the sinoatrial (SA) node – the heart’s natural pacemaker. A healthy SA node can adjust the heart rate as needed. For instance, when the body requires an increased cardiac output, the heart rate generally rises to meet the demand.

A regular heart rate falls in the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm) at rest. Any persistent heart rate that deviates frQom this typical range may indicate underlying issues and warrant medical attention.

Factors Influencing the Heart Rate

There are various factors that can influence heart rate. Heart rate typically decreases with age due to changes to the heart’s electrical system, decreased responsiveness to hormones, amongst other factors.

Your activity level also significantly impacts your heart rate. Your resting heart rate is lower and serves as a baseline measurement. During exercise, your heart increases to provide muscles with more oxygen. To determine your maximum safe heart rate during exercise, deduct your age from 220. For instance, if you are 50 years old, your exercising heart rate should ideally remain under 170 beats per minute (bpm).

Fitness level is another determinant, as fitter individuals often have lower resting heart rates, sometimes ranging from 40 to 50 beats per minute (bpm). Regular exercise enhances the heart’s stroke volume, improving its efficiency in oxygen delivery and resulting in a slower, healthier pulse for physically fit individuals.

Emotions play a role too whereby stress, anxiety, and strong emotions can elevate heart rate due to the body’s “fight or flight” response, preparing for potential threats. For instance, sudden fright can trigger a surge in heart rate. Additionally, medications and stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can influence heart rate temporarily, with some medications either increasing or decreasing it.

Identifying Conditions Related to Heart Rates

A heart rate may help serve as a critical indicator of potential cardiovascular issues or medical emergencies.

Causes of Unhealthy Heart Rates

Underlying medical conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, and congenital heart defects can disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm and lead to abnormal heart rates.

External factors such as exposure to extreme temperatures can influence heart rate, with hypothermia causing a decrease in heart rate and heatstroke potentially leading to tachycardia (elevated heart rate condition).

Overexertion or overtraining during physical activity, particularly in athletes or individuals undergoing strenuous workouts, can also contribute to tachycardia due to insufficient rest and recovery.

Additionally, dehydration and imbalances in electrolytes like potassium and sodium have been identified in studies as factors that can disturb heart rhythm, resulting in abnormal heart rates.

Identifying When to Seek Medical Attention

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Heart Rate

To maintain a healthy heart rate, consider the following tips:

• Regularly engage in physical activities to strengthen your heart and lower the resting heart rate. 
• Staying hydrated supports cardiovascular health and helps maintain a steady heart rate.
• Limit caffeine intake and quit smoking and other nicotine products to avoid elevating heart rate. 
• Stress and anxiety may contribute to an increased heart rate. As such, try deep breathing, meditation, and yoga to manage stress.

Make an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Regular check-ups and monitoring of heart rate can play a vital role in identifying and addressing potential issues before they escalate into abnormal or unhealthy conditions.

Get in touch with us to book an appointment today to consult with our Cardiology specialists, or find out more about our Cardiology Services at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.