Experiencing a racing heart, or palpitations, is common when you are unwell. This sensation can be unsettling, but an increased heart rate during illness is often a normal physiological response as your body works to recover.
The Body’s Response to Illness
When sick, your body initiates responses to combat illness, influencing your heart rate. Your immune system activates, prompting your heart to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen. This increased effort shows your body is defending itself against infection.
Fever commonly impacts heart rate. As body temperature rises to fight pathogens, your metabolic rate increases, requiring more oxygen. For every 1.8°F (1°C) increase in body temperature, heart rate can rise by about 10 beats per minute. This helps meet the body’s increased demand for blood and oxygen during a febrile state.
Dehydration also increases heart rate during illness. When sick, especially with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, your body loses fluids rapidly. This fluid loss decreases blood volume, making your heart pump faster to maintain blood flow to organs and tissues. Dehydration can also disrupt electrolyte balance, affecting heart rhythm.
The body’s immune response to infection involves the release of chemicals that affect heart rate. Inflammation caused by infections, such as the flu, can make your heart beat faster. The body’s stress response to illness also leads to the release of hormones like adrenaline, signaling the heart to beat faster and stronger, further contributing to an elevated heart rate.
Medications and Other Factors
Beyond direct physiological responses, external factors and psychological states can contribute to a racing heart. Over-the-counter medications, like cold and flu remedies, contain ingredients that stimulate the heart. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine are common culprits, which can cause the heart to beat faster.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, and some energy drinks, can also elevate your heart rate, and it is best to avoid it when sick. The psychological stress and anxiety of being sick can independently trigger a racing heart. Worry about your condition or simply the discomfort of illness can activate your body’s stress response, causing your heart rate to increase. Moreover, being unwell often leads to poor sleep, and fatigue or lack of sleep can also contribute to heart palpitations.
Managing Symptoms at Home
If you experience a racing heart while sick and it is not accompanied by more severe symptoms, several self-care strategies can help manage it. Prioritizing rest is crucial, as it allows your body to conserve energy and focus on recovery. Adequate rest supports your body’s healing mechanisms and can help stabilize your heart rate.
Staying well-hydrated is also essential; drink plenty of fluids like water, clear broths, or electrolyte solutions to combat dehydration. Proper hydration helps maintain blood volume, reducing the strain on your heart. If fever is present, taking over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help lower your body temperature and, consequently, your heart rate. Applying cool compresses can also help with temperature regulation.
Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol is advisable, as these can exacerbate heart racing. Caffeine can directly increase heart rate, while alcohol can also have a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. If anxiety is contributing to your racing heart, practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises or meditation can help calm your nervous system. These methods can help lower stress hormone levels and promote a more regular heart rhythm.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a racing heart during illness is often a normal response, there are specific signs that indicate it might be more serious and warrants immediate medical evaluation. You should seek medical attention if your heart rate is extremely fast, persistent, or feels very abnormal, especially if it remains high even when at rest. A heart rate consistently over 100 beats per minute, or over 120 beats per minute, is a reason to consult a healthcare professional.
Be alert for associated symptoms that are red flags, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Other concerning symptoms include severe weakness, confusion, or bluish lips or skin. Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, such as heart disease or irregular heart rhythms, should be particularly cautious, as illness and dehydration can worsen their conditions. If you are ever in doubt or concerned about your symptoms, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.