Allergic reactions that produce tachycardia, or heart trouble characterized by a racing pulse, may threaten life-sustaining body functions. A rare condition called anaphylaxis can arise from normal allergy symptoms to place the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in a state of emergency.
Food, drug, insect or latex allergies may cause tachycardia in addition to a host of skin, eye and nasal symptoms. The respiratory inflammation brought on by allergy attacks, added to an abnormal heartbeat, can potentially cause anaphylactic shock, organ failure, coma and death.
Considerations
People with the greatest risk for heart trouble and anaphylaxis brought on by allergic reactions include those with food allergies and asthma, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Suspected but undiagnosed food allergies leave individuals continually vulnerable to anaphylactic conditions. Identifying and avoiding allergens can save these allergy patients from severe medical problems and loss of life.
Identification
Linking food items to allergy symptoms first involves noting the onset and extent of heart trouble and other health effects. A moderate allergic response that follows the consumption of certain foods on one or more instances indicates a permanent allergy in adults. The FAAN advises anyone who experiences a severe reaction to consult an allergy doctor for diagnostic testing.
Features
Cardiovascular and respiratory complications can occur at any time during allergic reactions to certain foods and other substances, as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports. Regular allergy symptoms of hives, swelling, nasal congestion and digestive upset may precede or accompany anaphylaxis. Signs of this life-threatening condition include bradycardia, or slow heartbeat, as well as tachycardia, trouble swallowing or breathing, weakness and light-headedness.
Effects
A drop in blood pressure in response to an allergen initiates the more serious effects of food and other allergies. Existing inflammation of the airways restricts oxygen transfer from the lungs to the heart, resulting in tachycardia. As the Mayo Clinic relates, heart function weakened by tachycardia or bradycardia can reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to the rest of the body, threatening overall metabolism.
Warning
The NIH reports that the swift escalation of anaphylactic heart trouble can cause a loss of consciousness, shock, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Medical help should be requested by calling 911 as soon as serious symptoms arise. Patients who initially have mild symptoms and continue to eat allergenic foods still risk anaphylactic tachycardia and other symptoms, which can arise during any subsequent allergic reaction.
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic notes that immunotherapy allergy shots can't reduce the risk of developing serious allergy symptoms. Only avoiding certain foods and other allergens can prevent adverse reactions and anaphylaxis. Injections of epinephrine to improve blood pressure may or may not prevent cardiac emergencies.
