An accelerated heart rate, medically known as tachycardia, occurs when the heart beats over 100 times per minute at rest. Nausea is a sensation of discomfort in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by an urge to vomit. These two symptoms frequently appear together, sometimes signaling a temporary bodily response and other times indicating a more significant underlying issue. This article explores common reasons why an individual might experience both an accelerated heart rate and nausea.
Psychological and Stress-Related Causes
The body’s “fight-or-flight” response is a primary psychological mechanism that can trigger both an accelerated heart rate and nausea. This reaction prepares the body for perceived danger. When activated, the sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenal glands to release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases heart rate and the force of heart contractions, directing more blood flow to muscles and the brain. This physiological redirection of blood away from non-essential functions, like digestion, can contribute to feelings of nausea. Stress can also alter digestive processes, leading to discomfort or changes in how food moves through the body. Acute stress, anxiety, or panic attacks can therefore manifest with these physical symptoms.
Underlying Medical Conditions
A range of medical conditions across various body systems can lead to both an accelerated heart rate and nausea.
Cardiovascular issues can present with these symptoms. Irregular heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias, can cause the heart to beat too quickly, leading to heart palpitations and nausea. Conditions affecting the heart’s pumping ability, or even a heart attack, can also include nausea alongside chest discomfort and a rapid pulse.
Gastrointestinal disorders frequently involve nausea and can also affect heart rate. Food poisoning and gastroenteritis often cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. The body’s systemic response to these infections can also result in an increased heart rate. Acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome can also lead to digestive distress and, at times, influence heart rhythm due to intricate nerve connections between the gut and the heart. Dumping syndrome, where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, can cause rapid heart rate, nausea, and dizziness soon after eating.
Endocrine imbalances can impact metabolism and heart function. An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, accelerates the body’s metabolic rate, increasing heart rate and nausea. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can also trigger a rapid heart rate as the body attempts to compensate, often accompanied by nausea.
Various infections can elicit a systemic response that includes both symptoms. Fevers and widespread inflammation from infections like C. difficile can cause a rapid heart rate and nausea as the body fights the pathogen. Sepsis, a severe response to an infection, can lead to a rapid heart rate, fever, and nausea.
Neurological conditions may also contribute to these combined symptoms. Migraines are often accompanied by nausea and heart rate changes. Inner ear disturbances, such as vertigo, are well-known causes of nausea and dizziness, which can affect heart rate.
Other systemic issues like anemia, a condition where the blood lacks healthy red blood cells, can cause the heart to beat faster to compensate for reduced oxygen delivery and nausea. Dehydration, a decrease in total body water, can also strain the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate, and may cause nausea due to electrolyte imbalances.
External Triggers and Environmental Factors
Beyond medical conditions, various external factors and environmental exposures can provoke an accelerated heart rate and nausea. Certain medications list these symptoms as potential side effects. Both over-the-counter and prescription drugs can affect the cardiovascular and digestive systems, leading to an accelerated heart rate and nausea.
Substance use is another common trigger. Excessive caffeine intake acts as a stimulant, increasing heart rate and nausea. Nicotine also stimulates the heart. Recreational drugs can have unpredictable effects on both heart rate and the digestive system. Alcohol withdrawal can cause a rapid heart rate and nausea.
Environmental factors such as extreme heat can also induce these symptoms. Heat exhaustion, a milder form of heat-related illness, can lead to heavy sweating, fatigue, a rapid heart rate, and nausea as the body struggles to regulate its temperature. If untreated, this can progress to heatstroke, a more severe condition where the body’s temperature regulation fails, presenting with a dangerously high body temperature, rapid heart rate, and nausea.
Allergic reactions, particularly severe ones like anaphylaxis, can cause a rapid and weak pulse and nausea. During anaphylaxis, the immune system releases a flood of chemicals, causing blood pressure to drop and airways to narrow, while also affecting the digestive system.
When to Seek Medical Care
While an accelerated heart rate and nausea can sometimes stem from temporary or benign causes, certain signs suggest the need for prompt medical attention. If these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or severe dizziness, seek immediate medical help. Persistent or severe abdominal pain, ongoing vomiting, or a sudden onset of symptoms without a clear reason warrant medical evaluation.
It is also advisable to consult a healthcare provider if the symptoms are new, worsening, or significantly interfere with daily activities. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. A doctor can assess the situation, identify the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment.