Numerous conditions can cause an elevated heart rate in men. According to the Cleveland Clinic -- one of the top four hospitals in the United States -- your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. Resting and exercise heart rates vary considerably from person to person. In most cases, your heart rate is lower at rest and increases during exercise, although certain medical conditions and medications can affect your heart rate too. Elevated heart rate is a common symptom among men.
Anatomy
The heart is one of the most important organs in your body. According to the Franklin Institute -- a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based museum and science center -- the heart is a shell-shaped organ that pumps blood through your body to your tissues and organs. Your heart possesses four distinct chambers, each of which contract to squeeze blood into another part of the heart or a blood vessel that transports blood around your body. Within your heart are pacemaker cells that dictate how often your heart contracts or pumps.
Function
Your heart is an extremely complex organ. According to the Texas Heart Institute, or THI, electrical impulses from your heart muscle cause your heart to contract or beat. The electrical impulses originate in the sinoatrial, or SA, node, which is located at the top of your heart's right atrium -- the upper right chamber of your heart. The SA node is also known as the hearts natural pacemaker. Although your SA node sends electrical impulses at a certain rate, your heart rate may increase depending on physical demands, stress or hormonal factors. In some men, the SA node is dysfunctional, causing an elevated heart rate.
Causes
Numerous conditions or factors can cause an elevated heart rate in men. According to MayoClinic.com, many factors can cause an increase in mens' heart rates, including activity level, fitness level, air temperature, body position, emotions and certain medications. Other possible conditions causing a rapid heart beat in men include heart arrhythmias, panic attacks, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, rheumatic fever, hemorrhage, appendicitis, hypertension or chronically-elevated blood pressure and an obstructed bowel.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with an elevated heart rate in men usually depend on the cause of the rapid heart beat. However, common signs and symptoms associated with an elevated heart rate in men include sweating, anxiety or nervousness, light-headedness, heart palpitations, a pounding sensation in your chest, dizziness, dyspnea or shortness of breath, chest pain, a sensation of pressure in your chest, fainting, arm, neck, shoulder or jaw pain and fatigue. If you are experiencing an elevated heart rate that is unrelated to physical activity, consider visiting your physician for an evaluation.
Treatments
Treatments for an elevated heart rate in men largely depend on the cause of the rapid heart beat. Because an elevated heart rate is a symptom of another problem, the most important aspect of care is treating the underlying problem. Avoiding stimulants, such as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, diet pills, can keep your resting heart rate at a normal level. Learning to control emotional stress and fear can also help reduce an elevated heart rate. Practicing meditation and other mind-quieting or relaxation techniques is a powerful way of reducing elevated heart rates. Depending on the cause of your elevated heart rate, your medical doctor may prescribe certain medications for your condition.
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