A Racing Heart: Can It Be A Red Flag?


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Everyone's heart speeds up now and then. Exercise, for example, can boost your heart rate. So can alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and some drugs, including cold medications.

A racing heart can also signal a potentially serious but treatable problem called atrial fibrillation (AF). In this condition , the heart's two upper chambers, or atria, quiver. The blood that pools in the atria can clot, threating a stroke or heart attack. Other possible sysptoms of AF include dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, and confusion.

Some experts suggest checking your pulse for a speeding, irregular beat once a month. Here's how: Rest for 10 minutes. Place your index and middle finger just below the base of your opposite thumb. Press down till you feel your pulse. Count the beats for one minute.

At rest , a normal adult's heart beats between 60 and 100 times each minute in a steady rhythm. If your heartbeat is faster, slower, or irregular, talk to your doctor. Treatment typically involves taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin or aspirin.

The risk for AF rises with age, but other risk factors may be preventable. For example, Af can result from various thyroid conditions. One new article found that being overweight boosted the risk of AF. And another study suggests that excessive alcohol intake might raise AF risk in men. But AF is not related to caffeine consumption, according to the most up-to-date research.

Copyright © Neil Harper
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