What are the reasons for the high heart rate among the elderly

Premature heart rate in the elderly may be caused by physiological factors, medication effects, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, and electrolyte imbalances.

1. Physiological factors:

Emotional excitement, vigorous exercise, or consumption of caffeinated beverages and other physiological stimuli can cause transient heart rate increase. Elderly people have decreased autonomic nervous system regulation function and are more sensitive to sympathetic nervous system excitation. They are prone to sinus tachycardia during daily activities, which can usually be relieved after rest.

2. Drug effects:

Bronchodilators such as aminophylline and atropine, as well as drugs such as thyroid hormone tablets, may cause increased heart rate. Some elderly people need to take multiple medications for a long time due to multiple diseases, and drug interactions may increase the burden on the heart, leading to accompanying symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness. 3. Cardiovascular diseases: Diseases such as coronary heart disease and heart failure can lead to myocardial ischemia or decreased cardiac pumping function, and the body maintains blood supply through compensatory heart rate increase. These patients often have symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing, and a clear diagnosis should be made through examinations such as electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound.

4. Hyperthyroidism:

Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones can accelerate metabolism, manifested as sustained heart rate increase, weight loss, hand tremors, and other symptoms. Elderly patients with hyperthyroidism may have atypical symptoms and need to be diagnosed through thyroid function tests.

5. Electrolyte imbalance:

Electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can affect the electrical activity of myocardial cells, inducing arrhythmias such as atrial premature beats and supraventricular tachycardia. Elderly people are more prone to digestive and absorption dysfunction or long-term use of diuretics.

It is recommended that the elderly regularly monitor their resting heart rate and avoid excessive fatigue and emotional fluctuations in daily life. Pay attention to supplementing foods rich in potassium and magnesium, such as bananas and dark green vegetables, and engage in low-intensity exercises such as Tai Chi and walking in moderation. If the resting heart rate continues to exceed 100 beats per minute or is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and fainting, 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram monitoring should be performed in a timely manner to investigate pathological factors. Patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes need to follow the doctor's advice to regulate drug use and avoid self adjustment of drug dosage.