Natural Foods to Help Slow a Rapid Pulse
A rapid pulse, also known as tachycardia, can be caused by numerous factors, some benign, some serious. According to the American Heart Association, a resting heart rate of over 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia, and tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rate or rhythm.
A rapid pulse, also known as tachycardia, can be caused by numerous factors, some benign, some serious. According to the American Heart Association, a resting heart rate of over 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia, and tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rate or rhythm. Most arrhythmias are caused by dysfunction in your heart's electrical impulse conducting system. Natural foods have long been used in slowing a rapid pulse, but you should always clear the use of foods with your doctor before using this therapy.
About Tachycardia
Causes of a temporary rapid pulse include anxiety, fever, stress and exercise. Tachycardia causes a prolonged, sustained elevated heart rate, and it may cause your heart rate to increase to 400 beats per minute, notes the Heart Rhythm Society. In some cases, a person who develops tachycardia will not experience any symptoms, although some people may notice vision changes, dizziness, chest pain and dyspnea, or shortness of breath. This health problem may also cause you to faint.
Helpful Natural Foods
Certain natural foods and lifestyle factors may be helpful in treating or preventing your arrhythmias, including tachycardia. According to the Heart Rhythm Foundation, an appropriate diet for this condition usually includes low-fat foods and a significant amount of fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in vitamins. Examples of heart-healthy foods include olive oil, mackerel, herring, trout, garlic, onions, pomegranates and pomegranate juice. Consider avoiding foods and beverages that contain caffeine, as this substance may encourage arrhythmias.
A Beneficial Food
Mackerel is generally considered a beneficial food in regulating your heart rate and treating numerous cardiovascular problems. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and have long been used in treating and preventing cardiovascular problems, states certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The omega-3 fatty acids contained in mackerel may help stabilize the electrical activity of your heart muscle and decrease your likelihood of developing cardiac arrhythmias, including tachycardia.
Disclaimer
A prolonged elevated heart rate should always be assessed by a qualified health care provider. If you notice the most common symptoms associated with this health problem, report to your family physician as soon as possible. Your doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and suggest helpful treatments to help resolve your problem. Not all natural foods historically used in slowing your rapid pulse may be backed by rigorous clinical research trials examining their true efficacy.