Pounding Heart When Running

Running taxes your cardiovascular system, including your heart. You may be concerned if you feel your heart pounding while you are running. A pounding heart could be normal or could be an indication of an underlying problem, depending on the type of pounding you are feeling, your medical history and your risk factors for a heart attack. Regardless, consult your doctor immediately if you experience a pounding heart when running.

Heart Rate

Your heart rate is the number of times your heart contracts per minute, ejecting blood from your heart into your arteries. Your blood carries oxygen to your muscles, so they can create energy, and clears waste products like carbon dioxide. Your muscles need more oxygen and produce more waste during activity, so your heart rate increases to meet these demands and circulate your blood more quickly. The harder you work, the faster your heart beats. The pounding you feel may be from the natural increase of your heart rate, particularly if you increased the intensity or duration of your run prior to experiencing the pounding.

Blood Pressure

Your blood pressure also increases with exercise. Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure of your blood as it pushes against your artery walls. More blood is ejected from your heart when you are running, causing your blood pressure to increase. Elevated blood pressure during heavy exercise may cause a bounding pulse, the visible pulsing of arteries close to the surface of your skin, the MedlinePlus online medical encyclopedia explains. You may feel and see it in areas like your wrist and your throat. A bounding pulse may be a natural side effect of intense exercise or an indication of an underlying condition like heart failure, kidney failure or an overactive thyroid.

Heart Palpitations

The University of Maryland Medical Center defines heart palpitations as the sensation of a racing or pounding heart, and explains that palpitations may be due to physical activity, medication, thyroid hyperactivity, caffeine consumption or stress. Palpitations themselves are typically not serious, but palpitation accompanied by arrhythmia may be cause for concern. Arrhythmia is abnormal rhythm of the heart and may be accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, shallow breathing, fainting and sweating. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of arrhythmia while running.

Considerations

Consult your doctor about your pounding heart when running. Your doctor will most likely have you participate in a stress test, during which the activities of your heart are monitored at different exercise intensities. Avoid consuming caffeine or nicotine products before running, as both elevate your resting heart rate and may contribute to the sensation of a pounding heart. Wear a heart rate monitor during your run and record your resting heart rate before you begin activity. A heart rate monitor will help you monitor the intensity of your run. An elevated heart rate at rest may be a sign of overtraining syndrome, a condition characterized by decreased performance, muscle soreness, and disruption of your hormones.