What should I do if my heart beats too fast during a physical examination

During a physical examination, rapid heartbeat can be relieved by adjusting breathing, relaxing emotions, drinking moderate amounts of water, avoiding irritating diets, and following medical advice. Rapid heartbeat may be related to factors such as tension and anxiety, vigorous exercise, caffeine intake, anemia, hyperthyroidism, etc.

1. Adjusting respiration

Deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce sympathetic excitability, and thus slow down heart rate. You can use the 4-7-8 breathing method: inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, exhale slowly through the mouth for 8 seconds, repeat 5-10 times. This method has a significant effect on emotional tachycardia, especially suitable for heart rate acceleration caused by nervousness before physical examination.

2. Relaxing Emotions

Psychological stress can increase adrenaline secretion, leading to sinus tachycardia. Anxiety can be alleviated through closed eye meditation, listening to soothing music, or progressive muscle relaxation training. 30 minutes before the physical examination, avoid thinking about things that may cause tension. If there is a history of anxiety disorder, communicate with the doctor in advance to assess whether psychological intervention is needed.

3. Moderate drinking water

Dehydration can lead to insufficient blood volume and compensatory acceleration of heart beat. Drinking 200-300 milliliters of warm water one hour before a physical examination can improve blood viscosity, but excessive drinking should be avoided to increase cardiac load. It is not recommended to drink sugary drinks or ice water, as it may reflexively cause vasoconstriction and worsen palpitations.

4. Avoid stimulating diets

Caffeine in coffee, strong tea, and functional drinks can block adenosine receptors and increase heart rate. 24 hours before the physical examination, intake of caffeinated beverages should be restricted to avoid a high-fat and high salt diet that increases the burden on the circulatory system. Smokers should be aware that nicotine can increase heart rate by 10-20 beats per minute by activating the sympathetic nervous system.

5. Medication according to medical advice

For pathological tachycardia, medication should be selected according to the cause. For hyperthyroidism, methimazole tablets can be taken to regulate hormone levels. Anemia patients need to supplement ferrous succinate tablets. For arrhythmia patients, short-term use of propranolol hydrochloride tablets can be used to control heart rate. All medications must be used under the guidance of a cardiovascular specialist, and self adjustment of dosage is prohibited.

Before the physical examination, it is necessary to maintain a regular daily routine and avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue. Daily aerobic exercise can enhance heart function, such as brisk walking, swimming, etc., 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes each time. If the resting heart rate continues to exceed 100 beats per minute or is accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain and dizziness, it is recommended to complete dynamic electrocardiogram and thyroid function tests to rule out organic diseases. People with long-term tachycardia should limit their sodium intake to no more than 5 grams per day, and eat more magnesium rich nuts and dark green vegetables to help stabilize their heart rhythm.