A heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in the span of a minute. A pulse rate is the number of times your arteries create a noticeable “pulse” due to increase in blood pressure as a result of your heart contracting. Therefore,the pulse rate is essentially your heart rate.
Your pulse rate, also known as your heart rate, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate should be between 60 to 100 beats per minute, but it can vary from minute to minute.
The pulse or heart rate may fluctuate and increase with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions. Females ages 12 and older, in general, tend to have faster heart rates than do males.
Increase in heart beats above hundred is called tachycardia.Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats a minute(tachycardia)or if you're not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is below 60 beats a minute (bradycardia) — especially if you have other signs or symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath.
Doctors consider a resting heartbeat that's higher than 100 beats per minute to be higher than normal and a resting heart rate that's lower than 60 beats per minute to be lower than normal
Abnormal Heart Rates or Heart Beats reflect the cardiac conditions of the body. If unnoticed and untreated, this can sometimes be fatal. Conditions when the heartbeat goes beyond 120-140 beats per minute or falls below 60 beats per minute, can be considered dangerous, and immediate doctor's intervention is a must.Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – In serious cases, can interfere with normal heart function and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
A normal resting heart rate should be between 60 to 100 beats per minute, but it can vary from minute to minute. Your age and general health can also affect your pulse rate, so it's important to remember that a 'normal' pulse can vary from person to person.
Sinus tachycardia is an elevated heart rate that occurs when the sinus node generates and transmits faster electrical signals. It is often a response to an external stimulus, such as fear, stress, exercise, pain, or drugs. In some cases, it may be caused by a thyroid condition, anemia, bleeding, or fever.
Usually, though, a fast heartbeat is not due to heart disease, because a wide variety of noncardiac factors can speed the heart rate. These include fever, a low red blood cell count (anemia), an overactive thyroid(hyperthyroidism), or overuse of caffeine or stimulants like some over-the-counter decongestants.
The Effect of Anxiety on the Heart: Anxiety may have an association with the following heart disorders and cardiac risk factors:
Some forms of tachycardia can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Such problems may include heart failure, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
Treating tachycardia :
Treatment for tachycardia may include specific actions or movements, medicine, cardioversion, or surgery to control a rapid heartbeat.
Cardioversion - A procedure used to treat tachycardia to restore an irregular heartbeat to a normal rhythm. Typically, cardioversion patches are placed on the chest and back to deliver short, electrical impulses to reset the heart to a regular rhythm.
Hydration:Drinking water is also a stimulus to the vagus nerve, and may immediately stop a run of supraventricular tachycardia. Not having enough fluid (what people think of as “dehydration”) is another stimulus for fast heart rates, so some additional fluid is a second reason that water may help, though not instantly.
Regular exercise '
Getting in shape with moderate aerobic exercises tends to reset your resting heart rate at a lower level. Exercise also helps you get your aggressions out in a healthy way. But check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.
Eating banana:
Bananas are a good source of potassium, which is an essential mineral that plays a role in regulating heart function. Potassium deficiency can lead to heart palpitations, so consuming potassium-rich foods like bananas may help prevent or reduce heart palpitations.
Tachycardia that puts you in danger doesn't go away on its own. You'll need to live a healthy lifestyle and take medicines to manage it. You may also need to have a procedure, such as an ablation, to help you manage it.
Medicines for treating tachycardia
Digitalis or Digoxin.
Verapamil.
Diltiazem (Cardizem®)
Metoprolol (Lopressor® or Toprol-XL®)
Atenolol
Devices to measure heart rate and other fitness data:
Smart bands '
Smart Bands like Fitbit or Garmin fitness bands are often fitness-focused. These allow you to track your heart rate and view calories burned, steps walked, or blood oxygen level.
Smart Bands are typically less expensive, and their bands are often simple silicone.
The Smart Bands are available in market to measure heart rate and other traits.Indulge in self-care and track your fitness level. A fitness tracker lets you watch and record your heart rate, daily burned calories and step counts. Self-tracking allows you to stick to a healthier diet, exercise more and sleep better.
Best smart bands:
Garmin Fenix
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band
Garmin Forerunner
Amazfit Balance.
Fitbit Charge
Enable Bluetooth on your Android. If there is no specific app for your watch model, you should be able to pair it via your Bluetooth settings. To enable Bluetooth on your Android: Open the Settings app, which is the gear icon in your app drawer. Tap Connections or Bluetooth
Smartwatches are much more expensive than smart bands. They also have a lot more features, such as the ability to make calls, send texts, and access the internet. Smart bands, on the other hand, are much more basic and only track your fitness data.Apple Watch Series 8. Best overall: This stylish all-rounder offers an impressive display, great tracking accuracy and rich app ecosystem
Pulse oximeter:
The pulse oximeter observes a rapid measurement of oxygen saturation level in your body without using needles or taking a blood sample. The measured amount shown on the screen reflects the saturation of your red blood cells with oxygen. This number gives your doctors and nurses an idea of what your treatment will be.
Pulse oximeters accurately show your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rates in less time. They have an LED display which helps you read the results
Information compiled by Dr Bhairavsinh Raol
