BLOOD PRESSURE vs HEART RATE

Blood pressure and heart rate are not the same. BLOOD PRESSURE What is it? What is the unit of measurement? What do the numbers represent?

From American Heart Association.

HEART RATE The number of times your heart beats per minute BPMs (beats per minute) Includes a single number representing the number of heartbeats per minute

The force of the blood against the walls of arteries mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) Includes two measurements: Systolic pressure (top number): The pressure as the heart beats and forces blood into the arteries Diastolic pressure (bottom number): The pressure as the heart relaxes between beats 120/80 mm Hg

Sample reading

60 BPM

Here are some more things to know about the correlation between blood pressure and heart rate.

There is no good correlation between pulse rate and blood pressure. Measuring pulse rate does not indicate high or low blood pressure. For people with high blood pressure, there's no substitute for measuring blood pressure. A rising heart rate does not cause your blood pressure to increase at the same rate. Even though your heart is beating more times a minute, healthy blood vessels dilate (get larger) to allow more blood to flow through more easily. When you exercise, your heart speeds up so the blood can reach your muscles. It may be possible for your heart rate to double safely, while your blood pressure may respond by only increasing a modest amount. Taking your pulse can measure your cardiovascular activity and oxygen consumption but it is not a substitute for measuring your blood pressure. If you take your pulse (measuring your heart rate) before, during and after physical activity, you'll notice your pulse will increase over the course of the exercise. The greater the intensity and the more energy the activity demands, the more your pulse will increase. When you stop exercising, your pulse does not immediately return to normal; it gradually returns to its resting level. The greater your fitness level, the sooner your pulse rate will return to normal. These numbers may be helpful to understand but they are not linked to your blood pressure.

Reference : http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Blood-Pressure-vs-HeartRate_UCM_301804_Article.jsp

TACHYCARDIA
Tachycardia = Too fast A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute (BPM) in adults is called tachycardia. What's too fast for you may depend on your age and physical condition. There are three types of tachycardias: 1) Atrial or Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a fast heart rate that starts in the upper chambers of the heart. Some forms are called paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). How it happens Electrical signals in the heart's upper chambers fire abnormally, which interferes with electrical signals coming from the sinoatrial (SA) node --- the heart's natural pacemaker. A series of early beats in the atria speeds up the heart rate. The rapid heartbeat does not allow enough time for the heart to fill before it contracts so blood flow to the rest of the body is compromised.

Who is likely to have Atrial or SVT?

SVT is the most common type of arrhythmia in children More common in women, but may occur in either sex Anxious young people People who are physically fatigued People who drink large amounts of coffee People who drink alcohol heavily People who smoke heavily

Atrial tachycardia occurs less commonly with: Heart attack Serious mitral valve disease 2) Sinus tachycardia = fast but steady Sinus tachycardia is a normal increase in the heart rate. How it happens The sinoatrial (SA) node --- the heart's natural pacemaker - sends out electrical signals faster than usual. The heart rate is fast, but the heart beats properly. Causes of sinus tachycardia A rapid heartbeat may be your body's response to common conditions such as:

Fever Anxiety Some medicinal and street drugs Severe emotional distress Fright Strenuous exercise

Less commonly, it may indicate: Anemia (low blood count) Increased thyroid activity Heart muscle damage from heart attack or heart failure Hemorrhage (severe bleeding) 3) Ventricular tachycardia is a fast heart rate that starts in the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). It often occurs in life-threatening situations that dictate rapid diagnosis and treatment. How it happens Electrical signals in the ventricles fire abnormally, which interferes with electrical signals coming from the sinoatrial (SA) node --- the heart's natural pacemaker. The rapid heartbeat does not allow enough time for the heart to fill before it contracts so blood flow to the rest of the body is compromised Causes of Ventricular Tachycardia Usually associated with heart problems including:

Coronary artery disease Cardiomyopathy Mitral valve prolapse Valvular heart disease

Other causes of ventricular tachycardia include: Sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease affecting skin or other body tissues) Medications such as digitalis and antiarrhythmics Change in posture, exercise, emotional excitement or vagal stimulation. Reference : http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/AboutArrhythmia/Tachycardia_UCM_302018_Article.jsp