A cough can indeed cause your heart rate to go up temporarily. This fluctuation is a natural physiological response. When you cough forcefully, you create a rapid change in the pressure within your chest cavity, which directly influences the heart and blood flow. This sudden mechanical stress causes a brief shift in your heart rhythm that is usually restored to normal shortly after the cough concludes. The rapid heart rate you may feel is a sign that your body’s regulatory systems are working correctly to maintain stable blood pressure.
The Valsalva Maneuver and Heart Rate Fluctuation
The rapid heart rate fluctuation experienced during and immediately after a cough is a consequence of a physiological process similar to the Valsalva maneuver. A forceful cough involves a deep breath followed by a forced expiration against a closed glottis, dramatically increasing the pressure inside the chest, known as intrathoracic pressure. This pressure surge squeezes the large veins that return blood to the heart, restricting the amount of blood flow reaching the right side of the heart.
The decrease in blood return leads to a brief drop in the heart’s output and a slight dip in overall blood pressure. Specialized sensory receptors called baroreceptors, located in the arteries, detect this blood pressure change and signal the autonomic nervous system to compensate. As the cough ends and the intrathoracic pressure is released, the baroreceptors trigger a reflex response to correct the perceived hypotension.
This corrective reflex causes an abrupt, temporary acceleration of the heart rate, a phenomenon called a rebound tachycardia. Studies document that a series of forceful coughs can cause the heart rate to increase by an average of 20 to 30 beats per minute within a few seconds after the coughing fit ends. This quick spike in heart rate serves to rapidly restore blood flow and normalize blood pressure, which is why the sensation of a fast heart rate lasts only for a few moments.
Underlying Conditions That Intensify the Response
While the heart rate change from a single cough is typically a benign reflex, certain underlying health issues can significantly intensify or prolong this response. Conditions that cause prolonged or repetitive coughing, such as asthma or acute bronchitis, can place greater mechanical stress on the heart. The repeated increases in intrathoracic pressure from a chronic cough strain the heart muscle and amplify the normal physiological fluctuation.
For individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions, the heart’s sensitivity to these pressure changes is heightened, leading to a more pronounced heart rate spike. The mechanical stress of a cough may trigger or worsen episodes of rapid heart rhythm, such as supraventricular tachycardia. A weakened heart muscle, as seen in heart failure, handles sudden shifts in blood volume less efficiently, resulting in a more dramatic response.
Some cardiac issues can also trigger the cough reflex, creating a cycle of symptoms. Heart failure, for example, can cause fluid to back up into the lungs, leading to a persistent cough often referred to as a “cardiac cough.” In these cases, the heart rate increase is a symptom of the underlying cardiac dysfunction, not solely a physical reaction to the cough. The presence of a rapid pulse alongside a cough in a person with known heart or lung disease warrants closer medical attention.
Recognizing When a Rapid Heart Rate is Dangerous
The temporary increase in heart rate following a cough is usually not a cause for concern, but certain accompanying symptoms necessitate immediate medical evaluation. If the rapid, pounding sensation in the chest, known as palpitations, persists for more than a few moments after the coughing fit has subsided, it may indicate a sustained heart rhythm problem. A rapid heart rate that does not quickly return to a normal resting pace should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Fainting or near-fainting, medically termed syncope or pre-syncope, is one of the most serious symptoms associated with coughing and a rapid heart rate. This condition, sometimes called cough syncope, occurs when the restricted blood flow to the brain is severe enough to cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Other concerning symptoms include significant shortness of breath that is present after the cough is over. Chest pain or a heavy, crushing sensation that accompanies the rapid heart rate also requires emergency care. These symptoms suggest the physiological stress may be unmasking or worsening a more serious cardiovascular or pulmonary condition.