Does a fever cause a high heart rate

In addition, resting heart rate was linked with Basal Metabolic Rate, as well as cardiovascular illnesses. A twofold increase in mortality risk was observed among subjects with a resting heart rate between 81-90 bpm, and a threefold increase for those with >90 bpm, compared to subjects in the lowest heart rate category.

It's become increasingly clear that developing a low resting heart rate can significantly improve health outcomes. We'll be exploring some methods to do so in a follow-up article. But one thing you can do is to measure your heart rate using a cardio scale every morning, to establish a baseline and help observe when something's abnormal!

Experiencing a fast heart rate can be a worrisome occurrence, especially if you are not aware of why it is taking place. Let’s take a brief look at some of the basic questions surrounding a fast heart rate, as well as when to take further action.

What Is Considered A “Fast Heart Rate?”

The definition of a fast heart rate differs depending on the age of the person experiencing it. Typically, it is defined as have a resting heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute for adults.

A fast heart rate is one that is unexpected for a certain level of physical activity. Usually, most adult’s resting heart rate usually lies in the range of 60-80 beats per minute, with some heart rates approaching 100 beats per minute.

Is A Fast Heart Rate Always A Cause for Concern?

There are several different possible causes of an elevated heart rate. While some causes are more worrisome to cardiologists, there are other causes that can be addressed by making lifestyle changes.  Some of these include excitement (which stirs up adrenaline), dehydration, and even the consumption of nicotine or energy drinks.

There are times that having an elevated heart rate makes sense. For instance, if you are fighting a fever or getting over the flu, or are in the process of recovering from a surgery, a fast heart rate is your body’s way of saying it is working. It’s important to monitor your heart rate during these times, but do not become immediately alarmed.

Fast Heart Rate And Age

Concern regarding a fast heart rate is going to differ based on the patient’s age and health. As a general rule, the younger you are, the lower your resting heart rate. As you get older, your resting heart rate increases. Interestingly, however, there are some patients who experience faster and slower heart rates at the same time.  This phenomenon can be seen across many age groups.  Thus, cause for concern is not 100% definable by age.

When To See A Doctor

A person experiencing a fast heart rate should take special note of whether or not he is experiencing additional symptoms. Are there are other things going on that could be making someone feel lousy?

For example, a person who is experiencing shortness of breath, activity intolerance, palpitations, or extreme fatigue should see a doctor immediately.

It’s important to note that many people who are experiencing an elevated heart rate don’t feel it or associate it with other issues. In other words, it can often take a bit of an investigation to discover the cause.

What Is My Role In Checking Out My Fast Heart Rate?

If you are concerned about an elevated heart rate, make sure you aren’t currently dehydrated, and that you are being treated properly for any related medical condition.

If you’ve accounted for common causes of an elevated heart rate including reducing or eliminating caffeine and are still experiencing symptoms, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.

What Are Common Tests/Treatments For A Fast Heart Rate?

Common tests and treatments for a fast heart rate include blood pressure measurements, EKGs, and ultrasounds of the heart. A doctor may check to see if your elevated heart rate occurs only with a change in position (i.e. standing up). If so, there could be an imbalance of heart rate and blood pressure control in the body.

A 15-year-old girl was brought to the emergency department because she was not acting like herself at lacrosse practice. The coach called her mother to pick her up early from practice because she was having trouble walking and could not answer such simple questions as “What is your name?” and “Where are you?” 

When they arrived at the emergency department, the teen’s skin was red, hot, and dry. She was leaning on her mother for support. She looked so ill that the nurse brought her into the triage room before other waiting patients. She had an extremely high fever of 104.6 degrees and a fast heart rate (tachycardia) of 130 beats per minute, and appeared to be going in and out of consciousness. She was rushed to a treatment room, where doctors and nurses began resuscitation. 

Our patient exhibited altered mental status. One of the first things that comes to an emergency doctor’s mind when teenagers present with confusion is drugs or alcohol intoxication. 

At age 15, teenagers start to exhibit more independence, yet their brains are still developing decision-making skills. This combination may lead to such risk-taking as using drugs. Marijuana, amphetamines, MDMA (Ecstasy), cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP) are drugs that can cause altered mental status, tachycardia, and fever. 

But our patient’s drug screen was negative. 

Fever, often accompanied by tachycardia, also occurs with infections. Some types of infections, especially those involving the brain, can cause altered mental status. Initial testing did not reveal any signs of infection, either. 

Not drugs … not an infection … what could be causing this patient’s symptoms? We looked again at important details from her history: She was in pre-season training for lacrosse on a hot and humid day in late August. She was practicing drills and playing scrimmages for more than three hours. 

Solution 

Based on this additional information, we diagnosed our patient with heat stroke, a dangerous heat-related illness (HRI). 

Common heat-related illnesses include:

• Heat cramps — brief, painful muscle cramps in the legs, arms, or abdomen that can occur during or after vigorous exercise in extreme heat. Sweating causes the body to lose salt and fluid, which can cause muscles to cramp. 
• Heat exhaustion — a more severe condition causing muscle cramps, weakness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, cool and clammy skin, and fever (greater than 100.4 degrees but less than 104 degrees).
• Heat stroke — the most severe form of HRI in which the body cannot regulate its temperature and fevers can soar above 106 degrees, leading to brain damage, coma, or even death. Other symptoms include lack of sweating; flushed, hot, and dry skin; rapid breathing; tachycardia; headache; weakness; dizziness; confusion. or seizure. 

Our patient was quickly cooled, re-hydrated with intravenous fluids, and returned home later that evening. (And because she took a break from pre-season lacrosse, she was able to finish her summer reading assignment!) 

How to prevent heat-related illnesses 

Benjamin Franklin had it right: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

Children and teens need to hydrate before, during, and after playing sports, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines. Adolescents should have 1 to 1.5 liters of water every hour, while younger children need 3 to 8 ounces every 20 minutes. 

Cool water is usually sufficient, but for strenuous exercise of more than one hour, or repeated same-day sessions, the AAP recommends electrolyte-supplemented beverages. 

If you recognize any of the signs or symptoms of heat stroke, call 911. 

While waiting for help to arrive: 

• Move the person to the shade. 
• Remove protective equipment and clothing. 
• Begin cooling immediately by immersing in cold or ice water, or applying ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin, and rotating ice-water–soaked towels to all other areas of the body. 
• If the person is alert enough to drink fluids, begin hydration. 

Some additional tips for staying cool and safe: 

• Plan outdoor activities for mornings and evenings, when the temperature is not as high. 
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing. 

Brady Stevens is a pediatric resident and Rima Himelstein is an adolescent medicine physician at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware. 

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