The heart rate or pulse refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute. The heart must contract or beat fast enough to deliver the amount of blood and oxygen the body needs to survive. In general, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 80 beats per minute. Some people have lower or higher heart rates without ever having any symptoms. However, if the heart rate becomes chronically rapid, more than 100 beats per minute, it is called tachycardia. Tachycardia can cause side effects or symptoms. It is important to become familiar with the side effects of a rapid heart rate, as they could be warning signs of an underlying disease.
Dizziness
Tachycardia can occur due to a problem or disease in any of the heart's four chambers or valves. This condition can exist without causing any symptoms at all, or it can be accompanied by dizziness. If the heart starts beating too fast, it may not be pumping out enough blood with each beat, warns MayoClinic.com. This can deprive the body and brain of oxygen, which in turn can lead to feeling lightheaded. In some cases, this condition can also cause fainting spells.
Palpitations
If there is a condition that interferes with the electrical signals that tell the heart how fast to beat, then the heart may begin to speed up. As this occurs, there may be palpitations, or sensations that the heart is pounding, racing or even skipping beats, claims the Texas Heart Institute. Palpitations can be worse when overtired, under stress or when consuming too much alcohol or caffeine.
Shortness of Breath
Any kind of arrhythmia such as a rapid heart beat should always be evaluated by a medical professional. Sometimes lifestyle changes are all the treatment that is needed, while in other cases there is an underlying medical condition that requires medication. This may be the case if a rapid heart rate causes shortness of breath, due to the heart's inability to pump correctly. In some cases, shortness of breath may occur alongside feeling unusually tired and weak.
Chest Pain
If the chambers in the heart do not contract properly, they may be inhibited from fully filling up with blood before each heartbeat. In some cases, the heart rate goes through cycles where it speeds up briefly and then returns to normal. In other cases, if a rapid heart rate that originates in the lower chambers or ventricles lasts for longer than 30 seconds, it is considered sustained tachycardia. This can lead to a reduced flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, which may cause chest pain or discomfort. According to Merck, in severe cases this condition can contribute to a heart attack.
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