Healthy Lifestyle Habits to Control Fast Heart Rate

The human heart is the most essential organ of the human body. The organ that is as big as to fit in our fist pumps life into every part of our being ensuring we receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. The normal rate by which the heart pumps blood throughout the body is 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, in a lot of cases, the heart exceeds its normal rate and goes above 100 BPM. This situation is mostly characterized by heart palpitations or heart pounding. 

In normal cases, fast heart rate or heart palpitations only stay for a fleeting period of time. It is caused by situations such as physical exertion or stress. Therefore, a fast heart rate in such a case is not a cause for alarm. However, many times, the fast heart rate is due to an underlying cardiac condition, such as cardiac arrhythmias of different arrhythmia classifications. In such cases, you might develop an arrhythmia belonging to the category of tachycardia or some other heart dysfunction. 

Hence, the fast heart rate in such cases can be hazardous and requires prompt medical intervention. Now, along with medication, there are different lifestyle habits that can help you control the fast heart rate. We will learn about all these lifestyle habits and their influence on the fast heart rate in this blog. 

Lifestyle Habits to Control Fast Heart Rate

The lifestyle habits to control fast heart rates range from staying hydrated to seeking medical advice. These habits not only lower your alarming fast heart rate but also contribute to the enhancement of overall cardiovascular health. A fast heart or tachycardia, such as monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, monomorphic atrial tachycardia, wide Complex Tachycardia, narrow Complex Tachycardia, etc, are dangerous arrhythmias. However, with these practices, you can steer clear of them along with taking the correct medications prescribed by your healthcare professional. 

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can be a big factor in making heart rate abnormalities worse. When your body lacks a sufficient amount of water, the volume of blood tends to reduce. This reduction in the volume of blood can impact the blood flow and compel the heart to pump blood vigorously causing a substantial increase in the heart rate. 

Mindful Breathing

One of the main causes of elevated heart rate is stress. Hence, you need to adopt techniques to manage it properly. For this, you can opt for mindful breathing. Slow breathing techniques can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation in your mind. This lowers the heart rate and induces calmness in you. 

Regular Exercise

With regular exercise, you can strengthen your heart muscle. This further helps in the regulation of heart rate. However, before deciding the intensity of the exercise, consult your healthcare professional and tell him/ her your cardiac condition. If they allow you for high-intensity exercise in spite of your condition, then you can perform it regularly. 

Maintain a highly nutritious diet

A highly nutritious heart healthy diet can enhance your overall cardiovascular health and regulate your heart rate as well. Hence, you must consume, a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Furthermore, you must avoid sugary or processed foods and excessive caffeine. All of them can contribute to a fast heart rate causing different heart abnormalities. 

Stress Management

Management of stress is essential for the maintenance of optimal heart rate. When you feel stressed, your body develops conditions that have an adverse effect on the heart, most of the time increasing the heart rate. This elevation in heart rate is not good for you, as many times it can be prolonged and persistent. Therefore, you must adopt stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and other breathing exercises. Calm your mind and regulate the heart rate. 

Take Alcohol in Moderation and Quit Smoking

Alcohol in excess can lead to conditions that can elevate your heart rate. Therefore, if you want to consume alcohol, you must do so in moderation. Furthermore, smoking can lead to inflammation of your blood vessels and promote the deposition of plaque in your arteries, so for the regulation of heart rate, you must quit smoking right away. 

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you are obese or overweight, you are likely to experience problems associated with fast heart rate. Hence, through exercise and a healthy diet, you must maintain a healthy weight. You must have a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range of the parameter. 

Practice Good Posture

If you have a poor posture, then your chest might be compressed restricting your breathing. This might cause a significant increase in the heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, you must maintain a good posture throughout the day whether you are sitting, lying down, standing, or walking. 

Ask for Medical Advice

If you think your fast heart rate is persistent and is due to some underlying medical condition, then you must promptly seek medical advice. The healthcare professional will ask you for an ECG test and the abnormal ECG showcasing P-wave ECG abnormalities, QRS complex abnormalities, and T-wave abnormalities will indicate cardiovascular conditions. Apart from an ECG, the healthcare professional might also ask you for blood tests and other examinations for a more comprehensive assessment. 

Furthermore, if you experience a sudden fast heart rate, and want immediate medical attention, you can use a portable ECG device at home or on the go at your convenience. This medical innovation allows you to generate an ECG report within a few minutes and send it to your healthcare professional for further investigation of the issue. 

In conclusion, healthy lifestyle habits to control a fast heart are the ones associated with consuming a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, staying hydrated, and more. Promoting this lifestyle will help you regulate your heart rate. However, in adverse conditions, it is suggested to consult a healthcare professional and seek worthy advice and proper medication for the cardiac condition.