What causes a racing heartbeat?

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When you are at rest, your heart should beat between 60 and 80 times per minute. A rapid heartbeat--a heartbeat that is faster than 60 to 80 times per minute--can be caused by many things and is not necessarily a sign of heart disease or other illness.

Exercise

Exercise causes the heart to beat faster because the muscles being used require the blood to deliver an increased quantity of oxygen and sugar.

Low Oxygen

Shallow breathing or holding your breath can cause the heart to beat faster. A low level of oxygen in the blood means more blood has to reach the organs and tissues to keep their oxygen levels high.

Low Blood Volume

Excessive sweating and urination without replenishing the body's fluids through drinking can cause dehydration, which results in low blood volume. The heart has a hard time generating pressure in the circulatory system when blood volume is low and must therefore beat faster.

Fight or Flight Response

When you are scared or surprised, your body gives you a shot of adrenaline to prepare your body for action. This automatic response increases your heart rate.

Heart Disease

A heart with damaged muscle or an inadequate blood supply does not operate as efficiently as a healthy heart. The damaged heart must beat faster to compensate for this inefficiency.

Source:

Cliffsnotes.com: Cardiac Output

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What causes a racing heartbeat?

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