The heart is the central organ in the cardiovascular system and is a muscular pump that helps distribute blood throughout a vast network of vessels. According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy adult heart beats 62-100 times per minute when a person is at rest. Anything in excess of this rate is considered fast tachycardia, which is an elevated heart rate. The beating of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses that travel throughout the heart muscle and cause contraction. There are many things that can cause an increase in the rate of these electrical impulses.
Fear
When an individual experiences fear or other emotional distress, the brain causes secretion of chemicals that can elevate the heart rate. The body is designed to respond to a stressful situation with an increased ability to protect itself. This is referred to as a "fight or flight" response. Heart rate is elevated by these chemicals so that blood flow can be increased through the periphery of the body and allow for greater physical exertion if necessary. Chronic stress can leave the heart rate elevated over long periods of time and can lead to damage.
Substances
There are many substances that can cause an elevated heart rate. Many medications have either a primary effect or a side effect of elevating the heart rate, and it is important that your doctor know all the medications or substances that you are taking in order to be able to make appropriate decisions.
According to Wrongdiagnosis.com, there are more than 800 over-the-counter and prescription medications that have the potential to cause tachycardia. These include codeine, caffeine, nicotine and ephedrine. Illicit drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and many others will cause an elevated heart rate in some users.
Heart Damage
Through the process of disease the heart muscle can become damaged, making it difficult for electrical impulses to be conducted in a coordinated and appropriate manner. A heart attack can cause damage to the muscle and atherosclerosis causes damage to the blood vessels, making the heart work harder to pump blood. In either case damage leads to elevated heart rate. This can be true with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, leaky valves and many other heart conditions.
Decreased Blood Volume
Anything that causes a decrease in the heart's ability to deliver oxygen to tissues will elevate it's contraction rate. Bleeding causes there to be less blood volume and therefore, less oxygen available for the body's use. As a result, the heart will beat faster to try and keep up with the metabolic demands. According to the American Stroke Association, hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. This condition will also cause a rapid heart rate.
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