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Why heart rate increases?
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #12411
45 days ago
76

Why heart rate increases? - #12411

Siddharth

I am really confused and kinda worried about my heart rate. For the last few weeks, I've noticed that my heart rate increases quite a bit even when I’m just sitting on the couch watching TV or, like, reading a book. I’m a pretty active person normally, I go to the gym and stuff, but this is kinda unsettling! The other night, I was just chilling out with friends and my heart rate suddenly skyrocketed, out of nowhere! Like, I was just having fun, laughing, and all of a sudden my heart starts racing. I’ve tried to check my heart rate using one of those apps, and it was like 120 BPM when I thought I was just relaxed. Why does heart rate increases like that? I mean, I thought heart rate increases when you exercise, but what’s the deal when you’re not even moving? I did read somewhere that sometimes stress can lead to heart rate increases, which I guess my job has been a bit stressful lately, but I didn’t think it would affect me that way. Are there specific things I should be looking out for? I don’t know if I should be freaking out or if it's just something simple. Why can heart rate increases happen without any obvious reason? Is there something I should discuss with my doctor or am I overreacting? Any insights would really help, thanks!

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Doctors’ responses

Heart rate can increase even when you’re not physically active due to various factors. Some common ones include stress, anxiety, caffeine intake, dehydration, or even issues like sleep deprivation can affect your heart rate. Given your mention of job stress, it’s possible that psychological factors are contributing. However, it can also be associated with other medical conditions. Palpitations or a rapid heartbeat at rest might sometimes signal arrhythmias; these are changes in the heart’s rhythm that warrant medical evaluation. Also, thyroid issues such as hyperthyroidism could lead to increased heart rate. Infections or fevers, consumption of alcohol, certain medications, or hormonal changes could also play a role.

To address this, keep a log of when these episodes occur, note any triggers or accompanying symptoms, like dizziness or shortness of breath. These details will be valuable for your doctor. Gradual lifestyle adjustments might help too—limiting caffeine, alcohol, ensuring good hydration, and managing stress through activities like yoga or meditation can benefit heart health. Monitoring heart rate variations over time and during episodes can also offer important insights. Devices like a smartwatch or even a basic fitness tracker can be more reliable than an app. If episodes of increased heartbeats persist or are associated with any concerning signs like chest pain or fainting, it’s important to seek medical advice. Your doctor might suggest an in-office evaluation or even some tests like an ECG, holter monitoring, or thyroid function test to further understand what’s happening. While it’s easy to feel anxious when the body behaves unexpectedly, gathering detailed information and seeking professional guidance is always the best approach, ensuring any potential issues are identified and addressed swiftly.

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