what causes fast heartbeat

A fast heartbeat, or tachycardia, is a medical term for a heart rate over 100 beats per minute. Many types of irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, can cause tachycardia. A fast heart rate isnt always a concern, as the heart rate typically rises during exercise or as a response to stress. However, tachycardia may be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat, that might require treatment. Common causes of heart palpitations, or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart, include strong emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety or panic attacks, strenuous exercise, stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, and cold and cough medications that contain pseudoephedrine, fever, and hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. Sometimes a fast or irregular heartbeat can be a sign of a serious heart condition, such as heart failure, a past heart attack, coronary artery disease, problems with your heart’s valves or muscles, or atrial fibrillation. If you feel like your heart is beating too fast, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider. Seek immediate medical help if you have shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and chest pain or discomfort.