Human heart is a bit of an overachiever. It’s that colleague that never takes breaks, always the first to respond, and carries the team even when no one is watching. It works overtime without complaining and responds to the smallest change like it’s running a Fortune 500 company.
You’re not convinced? Take a look at this list of common triggers for tachycardia (a faster-than-usual heart rate). Spend a moment with it and you’ll see just how sensitive the heart really is. Which is exactly why it deserves some care from us.
Triggers for tachycardia
- Exercise – this one is a no-brainer. You exercise, your body needs more oxygen, and the heart speeds up to meet the demand. Providing it comes back down within a reasonable time, everything is working as it should.
- Emotions – stress, fear, excitement, and anxiety can all send your heart into overdrive.
- Fever or illness – when you are fighting an infection, your heart works harder.
- Dehydration – when your body volume drops, your heart has to work harder to get the blood moving.
- Stimulants – caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and certain medications can all increase your heart rate.
- Medical conditions – heart disease, anaemia, thyroid issues, and other conditions can all contribute to a racing heart.
- Standing up too quickly – this can cause a temporary spike in heart rate whilst the body adjusts to the position change.
When tachycardia becomes problematic
Just like at work, there are some instances when the heart goes over and beyond that are worth praise, but there are also others when over-enthusiasm of the eager and ambitious heart doesn’t benefit anyone, including the heart itself. In the workplace we call it ‘overworked’, in heart terms, it’s ’inappropriate tachycardia’.
Inappropriate tachycardia is a bit like downing six cups of coffee to gear up for an all-nighter on a big report, only to realise the deadline isn’t until next week and tomorrow is your day off. Now you’re buzzing, jittery, wide awake, for no reason at all. In other words, your heart is racing out of the blue.
Inappropriate tachycardia is something you shouldn’t ignore. The main difference between what’s normal and what’s inappropriate tachycardia is predominantly context, so start a journal where you record every episode, what you were doing, how long it lasted, how fast your heart was beating, etc. The more context you note down, the more helpful it will be for your doctor.
Helping your racing heart to slow down
In the moment, when your heart stepped on the accelerator whilst you are just sitting on a sofa trying to watch your favourite show, here are some ways you can help your heart to calm down:
Breathe
Deep breathing isn’t just for when you are on a yoga retreat. It triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, which tells the body to calm down. Box breathing, or breathing slowly through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, are worth a try. Do this for at least a couple of minutes before deciding if it’s working or not.
Change your position
If you are standing, sit down. If you are sitting, lie down, etc.
Try the Vagus manoeuvre
Stimulating the vagus nerve can slow the heart rate down. Here is how to do it: hold your nose closed, close your mouth, try to blow the air out as if you were inflating a balloon, hold for a few seconds.
Hydrate
Grab water though, nothing sugary that would likely make things worse. Sip slowly (chugging the water quickly can stress the body). If you’re sweating a lot – add a pinch of salt.
Rest
If you are busy doing chores, slow down and take a minute to rest completely. A racing heart is your body’s way to tell you that it needs a break – don’t ignore it.
Wash your face
Cold water on your face is one of those natural ways to calm us down. Do a few splashes of cold water on your face, especially your forehead.
Hum a tune
This might sound strange, but humming, or singing, calms us down. Try it for 30 seconds and see if it works for you.
More often than not, one of these techniques will help your heart relax. There are, of course, instances where medical intervention might be needed. Whether in the form of medication or medical procedure. So, if you experience a frequent or persistent increase in heart rate for no apparent reason, see your doctor who can advise you on what the best step forward is.
When relaxation techniques are not slowing your heart rate down
Of course, if your heart is racing faster than a caffeinated cheetah, and you are wondering if it’s time to call A&E – call them if your high heart rate comes with any of these:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath that doesn’t want to improve even with rest
- Dizziness or fainting
- Confusion or disorientation
- A heart rate over 120 that doesn’t want to slow down.
Like that overachieving colleague, your heart’s dedication is impressive, but even the best worker can’t run at full speed forever. Occasional bursts of tachycardia are usually just your heart keeping up with the demands of life. But when it races for no good reason, like in inappropriate tachycardia, it’s a sign the system is working harder than it should.
Performance review for the heart
The best thing we can do for our hardest-working teammate? Pay attention, cut it some slack, and step in when it’s clearly doing too much. And just like any overachiever benefits from a performance review, your heart sometimes needs monitoring to make sure it’s on the right track.
To find out how we can help you check if your heart is not doing too much, visit our service page or send us a no-obligation message.
Above all, stay heart-happy.
