Calming Tachycardia

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

13 Mar 2009 11:47 AM

Tachycardia is any heartbeat faster than one hundred beats per minute. It can come on suddenly, and may bring shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and panic.

There are different kinds of tachycardia -- some life-threatening and some not. If you are experiencing rapid heartbeat, you should talk to your doctor. A visit to the office and a few tests can rule out dangerous types of tachycardia.

If you have a NOT life-threatening form of tachycardia -- paroxysmal atrial tachycardia -- these tips may help calm your racing heart.

• Cut back (or cut out) stimulants like coffee, tea, and soda. Overuse of stimulants can increase your risk of a racing heartbeat.
• Go easy on the sugars. Regular, balanced meals will help keep your body in balance. Skipping meals and bingeing on sugary snacks for quick bursts of energy will mess with your system.
• Make sure your diet includes plenty of magnesium. This mineral helps protect the heart by balancing the stimulating effects of calcium. When calcium enters the cells, it can stimulate muscle contractions. In the heart, this can mean a rapid heartbeat. Magnesium helps maintain rhythm.
• Make sure your diet contains plenty of potassium. This mineral also helps slow down heart action. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to keep lots of potassium in your system.
• Exercise regularly. This can condition your body and heart so you have a lower resting heart rate.
• Slow down. Think of that racing heart as a signal that it's time for a break. Stress (among other things) can send your nervous system into high gear.
• Cool down. Cold temperatures can automatically slow your heart rate. Splashing cold water onto your face can help slow down a racing heart.

You may want to try biofeedback or other forms of relaxation to help soothe your racing heart, too. Keeping your nervous system and your entire body in a stable, calm routine can help keep your ticker in line.

If you are concerned about your tachycardia, talk to your doctor. There are some times when a rapid heartbeat is a serious problem and some times when it is not.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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