HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Elevated Heart Rate After Head Injury?

My daughter was released from the hospital today with a racing heart. They ruled out anything anatomically wrong with her heart. Her heart rate is still over 100, resting heart rate. And has been as high as 160, at one point. What else could be causing this? She has had several concussions, could it be something wrong with her injured brain that electrically causing her heart to race?
Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi thank you posting on HCM, I understand your worry,
Elevated heart rate is unlikely due to a brain problem in a walking and talking conscious individual even though history of past concussions. on the other hand Brain injury (usually haemorrage causes low heart rates(bradycardia) due to increased intra cranial pressure. if your daugters heart antatomy has nothing to do with increased heart rate its important to look for other causes for tachycardia (high heart rate). Thyrotoxicosis (increased thyroxin hormone level) , some medicine if she has taken, psychological anxiety, low grade chronic infection all can cause increased heart rate. hope you find the answer helpful. Thank you.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Elevated Heart Rate After Head Injury?

Hi thank you posting on HCM, I understand your worry, Elevated heart rate is unlikely due to a brain problem in a walking and talking conscious individual even though history of past concussions. on the other hand Brain injury (usually haemorrage causes low heart rates(bradycardia) due to increased intra cranial pressure. if your daugters heart antatomy has nothing to do with increased heart rate its important to look for other causes for tachycardia (high heart rate). Thyrotoxicosis (increased thyroxin hormone level) , some medicine if she has taken, psychological anxiety, low grade chronic infection all can cause increased heart rate. hope you find the answer helpful. Thank you.