The heart's job is to pump blood through a vast network of blood vessels to the tissues, supplying them with oxygen and other nutrients. Under normal circumstances, the heart beats regularly and consistently, but there are many things that can cause a change in the heart rate. Tachycardia is a term that describes a rapid or accelerated heartbeat. Some causes of tachycardia are temporary and normal, but others can represent serious and life-threatening conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, in some cases an increased heart rate can seriously disrupt normal heart function and increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Drugs
Many chemical substances can cause an increased heart rate. Wrongdiagnosis.com lists more than 820 different prescription and over-the-counter medications that have the potential of causing a rapid heartbeat, including caffeine, codeine, ephedrine and nicotine. It is important to let your doctor know all medications and vitamins that you are taking to avoid potential drug interactions that can cause increased heart rate. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to dependence on the substance and symptoms of withdrawal include a rapid heartbeat, according to the AARP. People who use cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and many other illegal drugs can also experience rapid heart rate.
Heart Damage
When the heart muscle itself is damaged, it is unable to pump blood as efficiently as it should. As it struggles to keep up with metabolic demands, it must beat faster and harder, which continues the cycle of damage. The harder and faster the heart works, the less efficient it becomes. Heart attacks, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and leaky valves can all cause the heart to beat faster as it tries to keep up with demand.
Bleeding
When bleeding occurs, blood volume drops, and the heart's ability to deliver oxygen to the tissues is diminished accordingly. Bleeding can occur from an injury to the skin or develop internally. Hemorrhagic stroke is a condition where one of the blood vessels to the brain ruptures and allows blood to leak into the brain. Any significant amount of bleeding will cause an increased heart rate, as the heart tries to compensate for the decreased volume of blood.
Emotional Distress
Some causes of rapid heartbeat have to do with emotions or response to stress. In stressful situations, the body excretes chemicals such as epinephrine and cortisone, which instigate a fight or flight response. One aspect of this response is a rapid heartbeat in an effort to deliver additional oxygen to the tissues. Phobias, fear and stress can all have this effect.
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