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Q. My pulse is usually on the fast side. Does a high heart rate mean I have a problem with my heart? A. In otherwise healthy people, a heart rate at rest should be less than100 beats per minute at rest. Heart rates that are consistently above 100, even when the person is sitting quietly, can sometimes be caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. A high heart rate can also mean the heart muscle is weakened by a virus or some other problem that forces it to beat more often to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Usually, though, a fast heartbeat is not due to heart disease, because a wide variety of noncardiac factors can speed the heart rate. These include fever, a low red blood cell count (anemia), an overactive thyroid, or overuse of caffeine or stimulants like some over-the-counter decongestants. The list goes on and includes anxiety and poor physical conditioning. Many people today wear a wrist band that shows their heart rate. Or you can check your heart rate the old fashioned way by feeling the pulse in your wrist or neck. You count the number of beats over 15 seconds and multiply it times four. If your heart rate is consistently high, you should make an appointment with your doctor. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
I suffer from low blood pressure, which means I often feel dizzy. What causes this and what are the treatments? High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major medical concern. If untreated, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage and even premature death. Low blood pressure
might therefore seem desirable. However, excessively low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause various problems. Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates about coronavirus when you have a heart condition, as well as support for healthy eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries - the vessels that carry your blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body. You need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood round your body. A normal blood pressure is less than 140/90mmHg (a desirable blood pressure is around
120/80mmHg). Low blood pressure is a measurement of 90/60mmHg or lower. When your blood pressure drops, your heart rate increases and the blood vessels in other parts of the body constrict (narrow) to help maintain blood pressure. If your heart rate does not increase enough, or if your blood vessels do not constrict enough to maintain blood pressure, your blood pressure will fall. The kidneys control blood volume, so are also involved in regulating blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension):
Causes of low blood pressure
Treatments for low blood pressureMedication for low blood pressure is rarely needed. This is because making simply lifestyle changes or treating the underlying cause is usually effective. Drinking more fluids, raising your legs and changing or altering the dose of medication you are taking are all effective ways of easily treating low blood pressure. However, if it causes issues, low blood pressure can be treated with different medicines, depending on the underlying cause.
Research into low blood pressureNot all patients respond well to these treatments or tolerate the side effects – pharmacologists and other scientists are looking for new drugs. With the help of BHF funding, my lab is studying how to use drugs to control the width of arteries and therefore blood pressure. In particular, we are looking at the tiny channels in the artery wall that allow charged ions to go in and out of the artery cells, causing small electrical impulses. Drugs acting on these channels have the potential to control the width of arteries and could offer new ways to control low and high blood pressure. Learn more about your blood pressure
Meet the expertDr Paolo Tammaro is Associate Professor in Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. His BHF-funded research is looking for potential new drugs to control blood pressure function that could help with both high and low blood pressure. More useful informationWhat should I do if my blood pressure is low and my pulse is high?Sometimes, the combination of low blood pressure and a high pulse signifies that the body is not getting enough oxygen. This may put the body at risk for shock, which can be serious. Anyone who suspects their body is going into shock should seek immediate, emergency medical attention.
Why is my pulse high but blood pressure low?Having low blood pressure can sometimes lead to a higher pulse. If your blood pressure is low, your heart may have to work extra hard to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the organs, resulting in a high pulse. Low blood pressure with a high pulse could indicate an underlying medical condition or lifestyle factor.
Why would my pulse be high?Usually, though, a fast heartbeat is not due to heart disease, because a wide variety of noncardiac factors can speed the heart rate. These include fever, a low red blood cell count (anemia), an overactive thyroid, or overuse of caffeine or stimulants like some over-the-counter decongestants.
What should I do if my pulse is high?If you feel like your heart is beating too fast, make an appointment to see a health care provider. Seek immediate medical help if you have shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and chest pain or discomfort.
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What does low blood pressure but high pulse rate mean
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