What makes our heart keep beating

Heart cells, even more than other muscle cells, are packed full of mitochondria allowing huge amounts of energy production to keep the heart beating. When we get tired, we might reach for an energy drink to revive us. When the heart needs to beat stronger and faster during exercise or stress it is flooded with adrenaline from nerve endings on its surface, and as a hormone from the adrenal glands.

The untiring heartbeat is awesome, but there are times when disease, lifestyle, genetics or infection render the heart unable to pump enough blood around the body resulting in breathlessness, tiredness and leg swelling. This condition is known as heart failure and affects up to 2 per cent of the population. When the heart does fail, many drugs are available, or cardiac surgery in severe cases.

This can happen because the heart has to pump blood to the placenta and around the body. The same study also found that the average heart rate increased throughout pregnancy.

Additionally, once a person goes through menopause , they have an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The British Heart Foundation notes that a person in the postmenopausal phase of their life may feel that their heart is racing. Learn more about hormonal imbalance here. A person who is pregnant or postmenopausal should speak with their doctor if they are concerned about their increased heart rate. Learn about HRT here. A person who has an imbalance of electrolytes may notice they have an increased heart rate.

An older study from found that the most common symptoms a person with an electrolyte imbalance experienced were:. Learn how to manage an electrolyte imbalance here. To diagnose an electrolyte imbalance, a doctor can perform an electrolyte test. The doctor can then recommend treatment based on what electrolyte levels are abnormal. Learn which foods contain the most electrolytes here. A fast heart rate is not usually a cause for concern.

However, an increase in heart rate may indicate that a person has an underlying health problem. Health problems that can cause rapid heart rate include :. A person can experience an increased heart rate for many reasons. Certain conditions can cause a person to have a rapid heartbeat, but they are not usually serious.

If a person is concerned about their fast heart rate, they should speak to a doctor. A person should seek immediate medical help if they experience any troubling symptoms. Is your blood sugar low? Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is one of several heart conditions that can cause an irregular heartbeat. A-Fib may also increase your chances of having a stroke. Arrhythmia Arrhythmias also cause fast or irregular heartbeats, or can make your heart beat too slowly.

Atrial fibrillation is one type of arrhythmia. When to Call a Doctor Right Away Call your doctor or right away if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat and you also have: chest pain fainting dizziness shortness of breath These symptoms may be signs of a heart attack or stroke.

Next Steps Many times, fast or irregular heartbeats are caused by normal life situations, like drinking too much caffeine or having anxiety.

Make an appointment with a cardiologist. Hear From Our Specialists Oct 21, Jun 09, May 19, Jan 27, Jan 13, Jan 12, Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Zimetbaum PJ. Overview of palpitations in adults. Accessed March 15, Heart palpitations. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.