 Does your heart beat faster when you are around the person you love? That feeling of excitement and happiness may do more than just make you feel good, it may actually be good for your heart health. “One theory on why love is good for your health is that blood pressure responds to calmness and peace,” says Christopher Suhar, MD, a cardiologist and director of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. “If you’re in love, you’re calmer and more at peace, which could translate into lower blood pressure.” It may seem like love is being tested during the pandemic with COVID safety protocols making it harder to date or meet new people. But news reports show people have continued to find safe and creative ways to make connections and find romance.
Love makes us feel good. Love has healing powers. Love is good for your heart. Love may help you recover if you do develop heart problems. Research has shown that married people are more likely to survive and have a better recovery than people who are not married. “Men tend to gain more of a cardiovascular benefit from marriage than women do, but on a whole, marriage helps you live longer,” notes Dr. Suhar. “It could be from having love in your life, or simply having someone there who has a vested interest in you and is taking care of you. Either way, married people recover better from a heart-related procedure than those who are single.”
It’s not just romantic love that can improve your heart health. Having close, loving relationships with your friends and family can have cardiovascular benefits. Researchers have investigated the role of having the support of loved ones after cardiac bypass surgery. Over time, patients who had good social support had a better recovery and survival rate. “Many surgeons counsel their patients about the importance of support after surgery,” adds Dr. Suhar. “This support includes not only spouses, but close friends and family.” Surrounding yourself with people who love you — no matter the relationship — can also make you more inclined to follow medical advice and take an active part in your care, which can improve recovery. There are even heart-healthy benefits to spending time with your four-legged friends. “Pet ownership also helps people survive longer after a heart procedure,” notes Dr. Suhar. “This relationship has been looked at in both dogs and cats. Those two animals provide a definite benefit from a survival perspective. I believe it is because of the unconditional love that pets give you.”
While having love in your life can benefit your health, a broken heart can sometimes have physical side effects. “Broken heart syndrome is a very real medical disorder,” says Dr. Suhar. “This is typically a temporary condition where the heart will have sudden enlargement and be very ineffective at pumping. It is usually reversible and can normalize after the stress is resolved, but that can take a few weeks to a few months.” Broken heart syndrome, also called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is more common in women, although either gender can have symptoms. In rare cases, this condition can be dangerous and even fatal. Stress in general can raise your risk of heart problems and should not be ignored. A recent Cleveland Clinic survey found that one third of Americans did not know that stress – in addition to high blood pressure, obesity and smoking – can increase the risk of developing heart disease. There are many healthy ways to reduce stress in our lives. Being in a loving relationship is one way and it comes with many health benefits. Love comes in many forms. “I think having love in your life is paramount to living a healthy lifestyle,” adds Dr. Suhar. “That love can come from many different sources: marriage, a partner, siblings, parents, friends or a pet. The goal is gaining peace through love, which decreases stress and anxiety in your life and benefits your heart.”
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Anna Smith on January 18, 2021 A fast heartbeat means that a person’s heart beats at a higher rate than usual. There are numerous possible causes, including drug reactions, alcohol, and certain health conditions. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the average adult has a resting heartbeat of about 60–100 beats per minute. A heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute is known as tachycardia. Most causes of a rapid heartbeat are not dangerous. However, a faster than usual heartbeat can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. This article looks at what can cause a person’s heart to beat faster, treatments, and when to see a doctor.
Stressful emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and fear, can cause a person’s heart rate to increase. When the body experiences stress, the adrenal glands release epinephrine, or adrenaline. The body has two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The body uses epinephrine to prepare a person for immediate action. Epinephrine can cause a person to experience:
Generally, a person should find that their symptoms decrease once they no longer feel stress. Learn more about anxiety here. TreatmentA person who experiences stressful emotions regularly may be at risk of developing certain conditions. The American Psychological Association (APA) note that chronic stress can increase a person’s chances of developing certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke. A person may be able to manage their stress in the following ways:
Learn more about treating and managing stress here. Substances that can cause a person’s heartbeat to speed up include: CaffeineCaffeine is a stimulant found in many drinks, such as coffee, tea, certain sodas, and energy drinks. Caffeine powder is also available as a dietary supplement. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) suggest that an adult could have up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day, which is around 4 or 5 cups of coffee. However, the amount of caffeine a person can consume without adverse effects depends on their caffeine sensitivity. A person who has too much caffeine may experience: Learn more about caffeine here. AlcoholA study from 2014 found that even a small amount of alcohol can increase a person’s chances of developing atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes a person’s heart to beat irregularly and sometimes abnormally fast. A further study from 2017 tested people’s breath for alcohol concentration levels. Researchers found that as a person’s alcohol concentration level increased, so did their heart rate. Learn how alcohol affects the body here. NicotineNicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in cigarettes. According to the AHA, nicotine can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. Research from 2016 noted that nicotine could increase a person’s heart rate by 10–15 beats per minute (BPM). Researchers also pointed out that a person’s heart rate and blood pressure increased regardless of whether the nicotine was smoked, inhaled, or ingested. Learn more about nicotine here. Illegal stimulantsIllegal stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can cause a person to have a higher heart rate. Research from 2014 found that people who use cocaine were more likely to experience irregular or increased heart rates. Doctors sometimes use amphetamines to treat people who have ADHD or narcolepsy. However, amphetamines can cause a series of side effects, including: Learn more about amphetamines here. Certain medicationsAccording to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), certain medications can cause a person to have an irregular heartbeat. These medications include: Find out more about the causes of heart palpitations here. Certain supplementsCertain herbal supplements can increase a person’s heart rate, such as: Bitter orange: People might use bitter orange for heartburn, nasal congestion, weight loss, appetite suppression or stimulation, and athletic performance. Certain studies state that it can cause rapid heartbeat; however, the results were inconclusive. Valerian: Valerian is a supplement used for anxiety, insomnia, depression, premenstrual syndrome, headache, and menstrual issues. Side effects of taking valerian can include heart disturbances, such as a rapid heartbeat, headache, upset stomach, uneasiness, excitability, mental dullness, and insomnia. Ginseng: Ginseng is promoted as a general tonic to improve wellbeing. However, ginseng has side effects that can include increased heartbeat, insomnia, menstrual problems, breast pain, headache, digestive problems, and high or low blood pressure. Learn which supplements can lower blood pressure here. TreatmentA person who experiences an increased heart rate due to caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or illegal stimulants should try reducing the amount they consume. If a person is dependent on a particular drug, they should consider speaking to a healthcare worker or counselor to discuss treatment options. If a person has a rapid heart rate after taking certain medications or supplements, they can speak to their doctor to see if there is an alternative medication they can take. Learn more about drug abuse here. An increase in heart rate may occur during pregnancy. This can happen because the heart has to pump blood to the placenta and around the body. A study from 2019 found that, on average, a pregnant person’s heart rate increased by 7–8 beats per minute (bpm). The same study also found that the average heart rate increased throughout pregnancy. A person’s average heart rate at 10 weeks was 79.3 bpm, which increased to 86.9 bpm by 40 weeks. Additionally, once a person goes through menopause, they have an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The British Heart Foundation notes that a person in the postmenopausal phase of their life may feel that their heart is racing. Learn more about hormonal imbalance here. TreatmentA person who is pregnant or postmenopausal should speak with their doctor if they are concerned about their increased heart rate. Learn about HRT here. Electrolytes are minerals and salts in a person’s blood. Electrolytes help conduct electrical impulses around a person’s body. A person who has an imbalance of electrolytes may notice they have an increased heart rate. An older study from 2013 found that the most common symptoms a person with an electrolyte imbalance experienced were:
Learn how to manage an electrolyte imbalance here. TreatmentTo diagnose an electrolyte imbalance, a doctor can perform an electrolyte test. An electrolyte test checks the levels of electrolytes in a person’s blood. The doctor can then recommend treatment based on what electrolyte levels are abnormal. Learn which foods contain the most electrolytes here. A fast heart rate is not usually a cause for concern. However, an increase in heart rate may indicate that a person has an underlying health problem. Health problems that can cause rapid heart rate include: A person should speak to a doctor if:
A person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience:
A person can experience an increased heart rate for many reasons. Certain conditions can cause a person to have a rapid heartbeat, but they are not usually serious. If a person is concerned about their fast heart rate, they should speak to a doctor. A person should seek immediate medical help if they experience any troubling symptoms. Last medically reviewed on January 18, 2021
|
Why does my heart beat so fast when I think about her
Pos Terkait
Copyright © 2024 ketiadaan Inc.
