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What Causes Elevated Heart Rate?
Question: For the last 30 minutes I've had an accelerated pulse. My pulse is normally 55 to 60 and it's been 120 to 122
with a slight headache and "butterflies".. Should I worry?
with a slight headache and "butterflies".. Should I worry?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that your elevated heart rate could be related to sinusal tachycardia caused by anxiety or caffeine intake.
Do you have any other symptoms related to anxiety?
Did you take any drink containing caffeine?
Are you taking any drugs during this period?
Do you smoke?
Atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation can not be excluded.
For this reason, I would recommend going to the ER for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a resting ECG
- blood lab tests (complete blood count for possible anemia, blood electrolytes for possible electrolytes imbalances, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose).
If resting ECG results to be cardiac arrhythmia, further tests to investigate for the possible cause should be done:
- a cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac structure
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm through the day and exclude possible arrhythmia.
Otherwise, if resting ECG results normal (just sinus tachycardia) you would have no reason to be worried about. Just try to manage anxiety and avoid smoking, caffeine intake and alcohol.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that your elevated heart rate could be related to sinusal tachycardia caused by anxiety or caffeine intake.
Do you have any other symptoms related to anxiety?
Did you take any drink containing caffeine?
Are you taking any drugs during this period?
Do you smoke?
Atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation can not be excluded.
For this reason, I would recommend going to the ER for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a resting ECG
- blood lab tests (complete blood count for possible anemia, blood electrolytes for possible electrolytes imbalances, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose).
If resting ECG results to be cardiac arrhythmia, further tests to investigate for the possible cause should be done:
- a cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac structure
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm through the day and exclude possible arrhythmia.
Otherwise, if resting ECG results normal (just sinus tachycardia) you would have no reason to be worried about. Just try to manage anxiety and avoid smoking, caffeine intake and alcohol.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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