Meet Joanne, a 47-year-old patient facing the unsettling condition known as tachycardia, where the heart races beyond its normal rhythm. Her previous doctor’s approach was straightforward: a prescription for beta-blockers to slow the heartbeat. Standard practice, perhaps, but it bypassed a critical inquiry – what was causing her heart to beat so fast to begin with?
In a world where ‘a pill for every ill’ has become the norm, our reliance on quick fixes often glosses over the complexity of our biological systems, sidestepping the true origins of our health problems. By unearthing the deeper, unaddressed health issues and exploring natural alternatives, we find inspiration for a more holistic and patient-centric approach to health and well-being. We see the cure.
What is Tachycardia?
The heart, roughly the size of a fist, pumps blood throughout the body. Its essential role involves contracting and relaxing with each beat to circulate oxygen-rich blood to tissues and organs. This rhythmic beating is coordinated by electrical signals that travel through the heart muscle, initiating each contraction.
The sinoatrial (SA) node is the natural pacemaker of the heart. It sends electrical signals that control the frequency of your heartbeats. When experiencing strong emotions, anxiety, or engaging in physical exercise, these signals may be sent more frequently, leading to a temporary increase in heart rate. This specific condition, sinus tachycardia, typically subsides as you calm down or rest. Other possible causes of sinus tachycardia include:
- Inflammation
- Heat exposure (including fever)
- Certain foods, such as gluten, sugar, or vegetable oils
- Medication side effects
- Overconsumption of caffeine or alcohol
- Dehydration
- Lack of quality sleep
- Over-exposure to electrosmog
- Imbalanced nervous system
- Underlying health conditions
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- Toxins, such as mold and heavy metals
- Heart failure
At rest, a healthy adult’s heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM), with variations depending on factors like age and fitness level.
A heart rate above 100 BPM is not uncommon, especially when triggered by exercise or stress. However, the rate should return to within the normal range once these stimuli are removed. A sustained heart rate above 100 BPM is diagnosed as tachycardia.
Different Types of Tachycardia
Tachycardia is not a singular condition but an umbrella term for multiple disorders related to a rapid heartbeat. In addition to sinus tachycardia, there are various other reasons the heart might beat fast.
- Ventricular Tachycardia: Originating in the heart’s lower chambers, or ventricles, this rapid heart rate can inhibit proper blood pumping. While brief episodes may be harmless, prolonged instances can be fatal.
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): This broad category encompasses arrhythmias originating above the ventricles. SVT can lead to palpitations that suddenly begin and end.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: This life-threatening condition results from rapid, chaotic signals that make the ventricles quiver rather than contract systematically. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as this can lead to death if not treated within minutes.
- Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib): The most prevalent type, characterized by erratic and rapid electrical signals in the heart’s atria. It might be temporary or require treatment if persistent.
- Atrial Flutter: Similar to A-fib but with more organized heartbeats. Atrial flutter may resolve on its own or need medical intervention.
Symptoms of Tachycardia
Some people with tachycardia experience no symptoms, only finding out they have a high heart rate upon physical examination. Others may feel their heart speeding up or racing. It’s not uncommon to experience the following symptoms when tachycardic:
- Lightheadedness
- Near fainting or fainting
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Exhaustion
- Heart palpitations or skipped beats
Tachycardia Treatment Options
Tachycardia, while concerning in itself, is a symptom, not the core issue itself. An elevated heartbeat is a distress signal from the body, pointing to underlying problems that need attention.
Therefore, treating tachycardia involves more than merely slowing down the heart rate. It necessitates an in-depth investigation into what’s causing the heart to race in the first place. Identifying and addressing the root cause is vital for comprehensive care, as merely managing the symptoms risks overlooking potentially severe underlying health conditions.
Eat Well
The way we eat plays a vital role in heart health. Embracing a diet similar to that of our ancient ancestors—whole, organic foods with no processed ingredients, sugar, or gluten—is the best way to lower your heart rate naturally.
Eating grass-fed and nose-to-tail, including organ meats, is essential. Moreover, focusing on wild seafood like salmon, sardines, and shellfish, can have immense benefits. Emphasizing more seafood in your diet helps in maintaining the heart’s rhythm.
If you need a seafood boost, check out our 100% natural products, Whole Fish and Wild Salmon Roe. These supplements will help reduce inflammation and naturally work to lower a racing heart.
Live Well
Lowering a fast heart rate is not only about the food we consume but also our lifestyle choices. Maintaining a normal heart rate involves living well. But how does one do that?
Research shows that regular exercise strengthens the heart and lowers the resting heart rate. Ensure that you are working out regularly, preferably outdoors.
Electrosmog is an invisible danger and trigger of tachycardia. Studies have found that exposure to electromagnetic fields damages the heart. Therefore, avoid excessive electronics and reduce exposure to Wi-Fi and other radioactive waves.
Ensuring high-quality and restorative sleep is vital, as it helps lower the heart rate, enhancing overall well-being. Multiple studies show poor sleep quality is linked to a higher heart rate. Aim for 7-9 hours of complete rest each night.
Finally, toxins in our environment, such as mold, heavy metals, and chemical toxicity, are a common but often overlooked cause of tachycardia. Understanding your toxic load and working to reduce exposures are essential in maintaining a healthy heart rhythm.
Think Well
Our thoughts and emotions are as influential on our heart rate as physical factors. Stress management is crucial, as stress is as much a cause of a high heart rate as other tangible elements.
Engaging in activities like breathing exercises, spending quality time with loved ones, and finding your happy place can significantly reduce stress.
Focusing on the vagus nerve, which is crucial in controlling the heart rate, can also be beneficial. Consider working with a skilled chiropractor who can help release subluxations in your spine, giving your vagus nerve more room to function optimally.
Test, Don’t Guess
Understanding the root cause of a high heart rate is essential. It might be related to mold, heavy metals, or electrolyte imbalances. At the heart of these issues often lies inflammation.
The only way to truly know what impacts your heart rate is to test. Natural Heart Doctor offers specific testing that helps narrow down the underlying cause. An informed approach ensures that treatment is accurately targeted, addressing the root problem rather than merely treating symptoms.
Evidence-Based Supplements
In an ideal world, we would obtain all the nutrients we need from our diets. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. Soil depletion has led to decreased nutrient availability in our food.
Supplementing with evidence-based supplements like Magne5, Potassium Boost, and Cardio-Lith further supports heart health. These nutrients play specific roles in maintaining proper heart function and rhythm.
Biohacking Strategies
In the modern world, various biohacking strategies can be employed to optimize heart health. These include novel techniques and technologies, such as sauna use or cold plunge therapy, both of which should be done under the direction of a trusted healthcare provider.
Another such biohacking strategy for individuals with tachycardia is the use of Truvaga. Trugvaga is a fast, drug-free option for stimulating the vagus nerve, thus triggering the parasympathetic nervous system and naturally lowering your heart rate.
Next Steps
If you find yourself dealing with a high heart rate, you may have been prescribed a beta-blocker. But treating tachycardia isn’t just about addressing the symptoms – it’s about identifying the root cause and naturally nurturing your heart back into a normal range. Our expert health coaches are trained to do just that, providing tailored solutions for your unique situation.
At Natural Heart Doctor, we believe in a personalized and holistic approach to heart health. We invite you to work with one of our health coaches and take advantage of a free 20-minute health consultation. Together, we can explore the underlying factors of your high heart rate and set you on a path toward your 100 year heart.