We’ve all been there. Maybe we are about to go into a job interview, maybe we are about to ride on a roller coaster or maybe we are just so mad we can’t take it. Whatever the cause may be, we feel our heart rate begin to accelerate.
Anxiety often increases heart rate, but the question is, what heart rate is emergency? When does our heart start beating so fast that it’s time to get it checked out? Read on to find out.
What Heart Rate in an Emergency?
Most people’s hearts beat between 60 and 100 times per minute. If you’re sitting down and feeling calm, your heart should not beat more than 100 times per minute. If it does, you have a condition called tachycardia, and it’s important to get it checked out.
The human body is not able to sustain excessive heart rate over long periods of time. That’s why it’s important to seek emergency care immediately.
Heart palpitations are another cause for concern. The heart should be beating steadily like a metronome. If it feels like it’s pausing or skipping beats, you may have an abnormal heartbeat. An abnormal heartbeat increases the risk of a stroke.
If a patient comes into the emergency room with heart palpitations, the emergency department may provide medication to regulate the heart rate. In extreme cases, they may do a cardioversion. This will shock the heart and reset it so it returns to a normal rhythm.
How to Avoid an Accelerated Heart Rate
It is great that emergency teams are able to deal with an accelerated heart rate. However, most people will want to do what they can to keep their hearts healthy before things get out of control.
Here are some things you can do to keep your heart regulated.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.
- Keep stress levels under control through meditation, mindfulness, and therapy.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause heart rate to accelerate.
- Eat a healthy diet. A heart healthy diet will help keep heart conditions under control. Pay attention to potassium levels in particular as these can cause problems with electrolytes that lead to an accelerated heart rate.
- Hormone fluctuations due to menstruating, pregnancy, and menopause can accelerate heart rate as can certain medications. Talk to a doctor if you are at risk.
Taking the Right Supplements
There are also certain supplements you can take to stay heart healthy. Here are a few that are recommended.
Heart Response: Source Naturals is a company that uses herbs, nutrients and nutraceuticals in their products to ensure they deliver the ultimate in health. Their Heart Response supplement promotes healthy blood flow and supports normal heart contractions. It is also rich in antioxidants and other herbal ingredients.
Clinical OPC Heart: Terry Naturally is known for creating nutritional and botanical formulas that are among the best selling on the market. Their OPC Heart supplement contains heart healthy ingredients that support optimal cardiovascular function. The product is vegan and non-GMO.
Knowing what heart rate is an emergency is an essential first step in keeping your heart in shape. Follow it up with the right diet and lifestyle and you are on your way to a long and healthy life.