Pregnancy | These are the causes of elevated heart rate

Pregnancy

An increased pulse during pregnancy is initially a normal physical adjustment reaction, which does not represent a disease value. In order to ensure the blood supply to the placenta and thus to the child, pregnant women increase not only their pulse but also their blood pressure and blood volume. As a rule, there is an increase in the pulse rate of 10-20 beats per minute.

However, of course, diseases can also occur during pregnancy that cause an increase in pulse rate. Their differentiation from the normal physical adaptation reaction is not always easy. However, if the pulse rate increases unusually strongly, a more precise diagnosis may have to be made. Relevant to this topic: Pregnancy hypertension

Caffeine

Caffeine is a strongly stimulating and stimulating stimulant, which can be contained in various foods. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, energy drinks and cola. Caffeine leads to a strong activation of the central nervous system with the typical consequences of a pulse and blood pressure increase and increased blood circulation. It has a similar effect to a stress reaction and can have temporary stimulating effects. In the long term, however, the high level of circulatory activity can be accompanied by consequential damage such as sleep problems, dizziness, vascular damage and cardiovascular disease.

Nicotine

Nicotine has various complex effects on the central nervous system and numerous other organs. On the one hand it inhibits so-called “sympathetic” nerves, on the other hand it leads to a release of adrenaline and dopamine and can thus activate the cardiovascular system for a short period of time and thus increase blood pressure and pulse. In higher doses, however, it has the opposite effect and tends to lead to relaxation. Overall, nicotine causes a strong addiction and is therefore the main reason for a cigarette addiction. The negative long-term effects of cigarette smoke mainly affect the cardiovascular system and lead to severe long-term damage.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption does not activate the cardiovascular system directly, but often initially causes the blood vessels to dilate and thus causes a drop in blood pressure. This often results in an increased feeling of warmth and reddened cheeks, which can later promote cooling of the body. The drop in blood pressure is further promoted by a greatly increased urinary excretion, which occurs during alcohol consumption. As a result, the pulse rate can rise during alcohol consumption in order to maintain the blood circulation in the body. In addition, physical activity increases under the influence of alcohol, which in turn leads to a significantly increased average heart rate.

WPW Syndrome

The so-called “Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome” is a certain form of cardiac dysrhythmia which can be accompanied by an increased pulse rate. Typically, sufferers have an additional so-called “conduction pathway” in the heart, which is not normally present. This causes the electrical excitation in the heart to circulate between the atria and ventricles rather than spreading as usual.

As a result, faulty excitation leads to the ventricle and to additional sudden heartbeats, which become noticeable as increased pulse and palpitations. The tachycardia is often only temporary and can be deliberately interrupted by certain manoeuvres. Sometimes life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia can occur. The WPW syndrome is a very specific and rare cause of an elevated pulse.