Author: Charles Frank
How to Slow Your Heart Rate Down: 13 Proven Methods
As a resting heart rate of 90 bpm is within range, medical professionals typically consider this to be a reasonable resting heart rate for most adults. Most techniques for lowering heart rate, such as managing stress and avoiding alcohol, help to lower heart rate over time. If a person needs to lower their heart rate quickly, then practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation may help. If someone’s average heart rate is unusually high because of an underlying health condition, medical interventions such as beta-blockers may be necessary. An elevated heart rate is typically a natural physical response to environmental or other stressors. However, a high resting heart rate for long periods can signal an underlying medical condition.
If you are experiencing fear, anxiety or stress, your heart rate will increase. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. All types of alcohol are addicting, and it’s not always possible to quit on your own. If you need help cutting back on your drinking, Zinnia Health can help. Other factors, like fever, dehydration, or drinking too much caffeine, can also make your heart race.
While changes in your heart rhythm after drinking aren’t always a cause for concern, there are some things you need to know. Luckily, for most people, these hiccups happen only once in a while. But other people can have dozens of uncomfortable palpitations each day.
Clinical Trials
A 2021 study of 69 people found that higher exposure to stressful life events may increase people’s heart rates. To diagnose tachycardia, a healthcare professional examines you and asks questions about your symptoms, health habits and medical history. You may need treatment if your fast heart rate continues or happens often. Your provider may also send you to a cardiologist for other tests. If you have heart disease or some types of lung disease, your chances of having tachycardia could be higher than normal. If you were born with an abnormal heart structure, this is called a congenital heart defect, and it might increase your odds as well.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple test to determine how the heart is beating. Sensors, called electrodes, are placed on the chest to record the heart’s electrical signals. The signals are shown as waves on an attached computer monitor or printer.
- After one drink, blood vessels dilate, which presumably means the heart doesn’t need to pump as hard to move the same amount of blood through the body.
- This could be due to alcohol creating an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
- If you have tachycardia or any type of heart disease, it’s important to take steps to keep your heart healthy.
- While changes in your heart rhythm after drinking aren’t always a cause for concern, there are some things you need to know.
- However, there is no reliable scientific evidence that typical tea or coffee consumption can cause an increased resting heart rate through dehydration.
You might also have chest pains, memory problems, or tire easily. Below are some frequently asked questions about resting heart rate. An easy way to check the pulse is by placing the index and middle finger on the wrist and counting how many heartbeats occur within 60 seconds. During strenuous activity, the healthy range will be 70–85% of the maximum heart rate. A person can calculate their maximum heart rate by subtracting their age in years from 220. A healthy heart rate range is usually 50–70% of this maximum during moderate exercise.
When to Call a Doctor
EMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. After one drink, blood vessels dilate, which presumably means the heart doesn’t need to pump as hard to move the same amount of blood through the body. However, with another drink, breathing slows down further, impacting the amount of oxygen in the blood. If you faint, have trouble breathing, or have chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes, talk to your doctor right away or call 911.
A coronary angiogram can show blocked or narrowed blood vessels in the heart. A doctor may perform a physical examination and evaluate the thyroid, as well as check electrolyte levels and blood counts. They may also do other tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG). Stimulants can cause dehydration, increasing the heart’s workload. If a person is experiencing an elevated heart rate, there are certain things they can try to help bring it down. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
Vagal maneuvers are techniques that can help lower a person’s heart rate. They target the vagus nerve, which has a key function in the parasympathetic nervous system. Certain risk factors, like being overweight or not eating a healthy diet, can make you more likely to suffer from these conditions. Seek medical help right away or call 911 if you faint, have a hard time breathing, or have chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes. A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that continuously checks the heartbeat. It uses one or more sensors called electrodes and a recording device to measure the heart’s activity.
When should I call my doctor?
Carefully controlled studies to research the safety and benefits of new drugs and therapies. A thorough physical exam, medical history and testing are required to diagnose tachycardia. Relaxation techniques may also have a positive effect on stress. People cannot always resolve stressful situations and life events on their own. This could be due to alcohol creating an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. This includes water found in food and other beverages, too.
Frequently asked questions
If your heart’s ever skipped a beat, you’ve had what are called heart palpitations. It might feel like your heart is throbbing, pounding, or fluttering. Stress-relief techniques, such as meditation and yoga, might help slow the heartbeat.
If you are exercising, or performing any kind of activity, your heart will normally beat faster. This allows your heart to pump blood throughout your body, to provide oxygen to the tissues. Tachycardia treatment involves taking steps to prevent the heart from beating too fast. This may involve medicines, implanted devices, or heart surgeries or procedures. Changes in heart rate happen naturally throughout the day. A typical resting heart rate is between 60–100 bpm for adults.
A typical resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm). Certain conditions may increase a person’s heart rate, such as asthma, sleep apnea, infection, coronary artery disease, and more. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and advise on suitable treatments. If you have tachycardia or any type of heart disease, it’s important to take steps to keep your heart healthy.
A consistently high heart rate may indicate health issues and could lead to adverse outcomes. Research on the effects of diet on heart rate is limited. When the body is dehydrated, the amount of blood flowing through the body is reduced, so the heart has to work harder to stabilize blood flow. The most effective way to achieve a lasting lower heart rate is to do regular exercise. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.