The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body, with its rhythm measured by heart rate, or beats per minute (BPM). This rate naturally adjusts to the body’s needs, increasing during physical activity and decreasing during rest. Viral infections, including COVID-19, can influence heart rate.
How COVID Impacts Heart Rate
COVID-19 can increase heart rate through several physiological mechanisms. When the body fights infection, fever often develops, causing the heart to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen. This increased demand stresses the cardiovascular system.
The body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 can trigger widespread inflammation. This systemic inflammatory response, sometimes called a “cytokine storm” in severe cases, can directly affect the heart’s electrical signals and function.
Dehydration, common during illness due to fever, reduced fluid intake, or symptoms like diarrhea, contributes to an elevated heart rate. When dehydrated, blood volume decreases, requiring the heart to pump faster to maintain circulation.
The virus can also directly affect heart muscle cells, leading to myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. This can cause myocardial injury, which may manifest as an increased heart rate.
Understanding Your Heart Rate During COVID
Understanding your heart rate during a COVID-19 infection involves knowing what is typical and what might signal concern. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM). A heart rate consistently above 100 BPM at rest is considered tachycardia.
A temporary increase in heart rate due to fever is a normal bodily response. However, a significantly or persistently elevated heart rate, especially with other symptoms, can indicate a more serious issue.
You can monitor your heart rate by checking your pulse at your wrist or neck, or using wearable devices. Paying attention to accompanying symptoms is important. These include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion. An irregular or pounding heart rhythm can signal a need for medical attention.
Managing Heart Rate Concerns and Seeking Care
When experiencing an increased heart rate with COVID-19, knowing when to seek medical attention is important. Consult a healthcare professional if your heart rate remains persistently high, especially above 100 beats per minute at rest. Prompt medical evaluation is recommended if you develop new or worsening symptoms such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or significant dizziness.
Other signs warranting medical attention include an irregular or pounding heart rhythm, or confusion. If symptoms are not improving week-to-week, or persist longer than four weeks, seek medical evaluation.
For milder cases where the heart rate increase is temporary and not accompanied by severe symptoms, general supportive measures can help. Resting adequately, staying well-hydrated, and managing fever with appropriate medications can alleviate some strain on your heart. This information is for general understanding and does not replace professional medical advice; always consult a healthcare professional for specific health concerns.
Post-COVID Heart Rate Considerations
Some individuals may experience persistent changes in heart rate or new heart palpitations weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19. This can occur even in those with a mild initial illness. Lingering symptoms can include a faster baseline heart rate or an elevated heart rate with minimal activity.
The reasons for these persistent heart rate changes are being researched, but may involve lingering inflammation or dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate. Some patients develop postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), characterized by a significant increase in heart rate upon standing, accompanied by symptoms like dizziness.
Seek follow-up medical evaluation for such persistent symptoms, particularly if they include chest pain, shortness of breath, or significant dizziness. A healthcare provider may recommend tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart’s electrical activity, a Holter monitor for continuous heart rhythm monitoring, or an echocardiogram to assess heart structure and function.