A racing heart rate is a concerning symptom that may be a sign of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. If you experience adverse reactions after eating products that contain wheat, you need to talk with your health-care provider to receive a clinical diagnosis. Wheat sensitivity, also called a wheat allergy is a chronic medical condition that has no cure, aside from implementing a strict wheat elimination diet. If you accidentally eat wheat, call your doctor immediately.
Wheat Sensitivity
Wheat sensitivity is another name for a wheat allergy, which is a hypersensitivity of the immune system. Your immune system protects your body from infectious organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and toxins, by creating antibodies. During a wheat allergy, your immune system accidentally identifies one or more of the proteins in wheat as a dangerous substance. This mistake causes the immune system to overreact, creating allergy-specific antibodies called immunoglobulin E. IgE antibodies cause your body to produce histamine and other chemicals that lead to common allergy symptoms.
Racing Heart Rate
A racing heart rate is a sign of a severe allergic reaction that could cause life-threatening symptoms. Anaphylaxis occurs when your entire body experiences an allergic reaction, sending the body into a state of shock. This type of allergic reaction can develop within seconds of eating wheat proteins. Common symptoms include a racing heart rate that produces a faint pulse. Facial swelling, hives, shortness of breath, mental confusion, lightheadedness and dizziness are other symptoms with anaphylaxis, according to MedlinePlus.
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is required if you develop a racing heart rate from a wheat sensitivity. If you develop one or more of these symptoms, you need to call 911 immediately to avoid serious complications. If you've been diagnosed with a severe wheat allergy, your doctor will prescribe you an epinephrine pen. Epinephrine is synthetic adrenaline that temporarily alleviates symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as an increased heart rate. If you have epinephrine, use the injection at the first sign of anaphylaxis and call 911. If you do not have a prescription, inform the 911 operator.
Elimination Diet
To prevent a rapid heart rate from wheat sensitivity, you will need to work with your doctor and registered dietician to create a wheat elimination diet. A wheat elimination diet will remove all wheat products and any food or beverage that contains wheat proteins. The Cleveland Clinic states that common foods made with wheat include bread, bread crumbs, cookies, baked goods, couscous, cracker meal, pasta and spelt.
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