7 Surprising Things that Raise Your Heart Rate (or Lower It)

You should pay more attention to your heart rate, because it can help you identify and prevent cardiovascular problems before they occur. Unless you’re a fitness enthusiast or very health conscious, though, chances are you don’t track your heart rate.

The good news is you can measure your heart rate right now. Simply place your index and middle finger on the side of your neck, below the jawbone. Take out your timer and count the number of beats per minute. Or count for 15 seconds then multiply by four.

I just did that. My heart rate is 64 beats per minute, which is good, since heart rates ranging from 60 to 100 are considered healthy. Generally, a lower heart rate is a sign of good health.

Now, don’t panic if your heart rate is above 100. Your heart may be racing because of the any of the factors below. 

7 THINGS THAT CAN RAISE OR LOWER YOUR HEART RATE

1. Caffeine

Have you ever noticed that your heart rate increases after drinking coffee? The caffeine in coffee stimulates your nervous system, and as a result, raises your heart rate.

There’s no need to worry if your heart rate increases after drinking caffeinated drinks. However, you should see a doctor if the drinks have other effects, like dizziness, chest pain and lightheadedness.

2. Anxiety and Other Emotions

Increased heart rate is one of the widely-known signs of anxiety. Other emotions, such as fear and excitement, also raise heart rate. That’s why it’s advisable to measure your heart rate when you’re calm.

3. Being Dehydrated

Many people only know the popular signs of dehydration, such as dry lips and fatigue. They don’t realize their heart rate is a great indicator of the amount of fluid in the body.

When you are dehydrated, your blood thickens. This increases your heart rate, because your heart has to work harder to pump blood.

4. Thyroid Problems

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can reduce your heart rate while an overactive thyroid can raise your heart rate. Don’t jump to conclusions after measuring your heart rate, however. Get a thyroid test from your doctor.

5. Pregnancy

Heart rate increases during pregnancy, because the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the fetus. At the same time, research shows that blood volume increases when a woman is pregnant.

6. High Stress Levels

It’s not possible to completely eliminate stress from your life. In fact, short-term stress doesn’t have a big impact on your heart rate.

Long-term stress, on the other hand, may significantly increase your heart rate and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, according to research. Try to relieve your stress using meditation, walking, or tai chi.

7. Prescription Drugs

Some meds will speed up your heart rate, while others slow it. Luckily, this effect should only last for a few minutes.  But don’t hesitate to call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or chest pains that won’t go away.

Now, start keeping track of your heart rate. It’s best to measure it about every two weeks. The best time to measure your heart rate is in the morning, just after waking up.