A resting heart rate is considered high if it falls above 100 beats per minute, the upper range of a normal heart rate, although some patients may choose to be evaluated for possible treatment if the heart rate is consistently above 80 or even 70 beats per minute. This rate can be caused by a number of things, from an infection somewhere in the body to dehydration or anxiety. While having a high resting heart rate for infrequent and short periods of time, such as during a fever, is not necessarily dangerous, it should be evaluated and treated by a doctor if it remains consistently above normal for an extended time because it increases the risk of problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Some people with a chronically high heart rate may need to be put on medication for the condition, but in many cases, the rate can be lowered simply by pinpointing and removing or treating the specific cause.

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WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms fatigue and rapid heart rate (pulse) including Heart. In medical terms, high pulse rate is termed as tachycardia, which refers to a heart beating at a higher rate than usual. The normal pulse rate for human beings, in resting condition, is about 60 – 100 beats per minute (BPM). The pulse rate falls to about 40 BPM while the person is sleeping. Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that’s too fast. How that’s defined may depend on your age and physical condition. Generally speaking, for adults, a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute (BPM) is considered too fast. View an animation of tachycardia. The most common are sinus tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart rate that tops 100 beats per minute, and atrial fibrillation, a disorganized rhythm in the heart's upper chambers.

The resting heart rate is often the result of the body's reaction to relatively normal physiological reactions. Stress, anxiety, and dehydration can all be causes for a high rate. Being out of shape physically can make the heart work harder to maintain a normal level of circulation, causing it to beat faster. Counterintuitively, overtraining, or exercising too much, can also have the same effect.

On many occasions, a high resting heart rate may be the result of food, beverages, or drugs that have been consumed. Drinking caffeinated soft drinks, taking pills, such as energy pills or diet pills that contain caffeine and other stimulants, or taking other forms of stimulants can increase the resting heart rate significantly. Additionally, smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol can both contribute to a high rate. In some cases, an individual can have a reaction to a medication he or she is taking for other reasons, which may also raise the heart rate above normal.

Sometimes, however, a high resting heart rate can indicate the presence of a disease or other health problem. Heart defects, heart disease, blood loss or anemia, and high blood pressure can all potentially cause a high resting heart rate. Fever and infection also increase the heart rate, so that the body can increase the blood supply to the infected areas and boost healing. Hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid gland functions at above normal capacity, also tends to increase the rate.

An irregular heartbeat, such as a high heart rate, is an issue for millions of Americans. In fact, some research shows that one in four American adults over age 40 may develop an irregular heartbeat—also called a heart arrhythmia.

Fortunately, there are many natural ways to help manage this problem, including foods that lower heart rate. The heartbeat will get quicker in those who experience frequent stress, anxiety, or participate in physical activities like running or other strenuous exercise.

Most of the time, a fluttering feeling in the chest is harmless; however, some cardiac arrhythmias are very dangerous and require immediate attention. Emotional stress and anger can certainly make the heart work harder, which also increases blood pressure and cortisol levels.

That is why it is important to know how to reduce heart rate naturally, including the foods that lower heart rate and blood pressure. This article will also detail how to lower your heart rate naturally with deep breathing, vagal maneuvers, acupuncture, and other alternative therapies.

In This Article:

What Is a Normal Resting Heart Rate?

The resting heart rate is the heart pumping the lowest amount of blood when you are not exercising. What is a normal resting heart rate? A normal resting heart rate, when you are calm, relaxed, and healthy, will range between 60 and 100 beats per minute for adults. That being said, a normal heart rate will vary from person to person, and throughout a person’s day.

A heart rate lower than 60 beats isn’t necessarily a problem. Factors that affect heart rate include drugs like beta-blockers, body position, and anxiety or stressful emotions. A lower heart rate is also common in athletes and those that get lots of physical activity. The heart also pumps a little more and the pulse rate increases when the humidity is high. If you’re obese, you may also see a higher resting pulse than normal, but not too much over 100 beats per minute.

It is important to note that an above normal heart rate can be a sign of several problems, and symptoms may include fainting, weakness, chest pain, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, heart pain, and inadequate blood flow in the legs and arms.

For an accurate heart rate reading, simply put your fingers over your pulse and count the number of beats per minute. You could also count the beats in 15 seconds and multiply the number by four. The best places to find your pulse are the wrists, side of your neck, inside of your elbow, and top of the foot.

How to Lower Your Heart Rate

Want to know how to lower your heart rate in the moment? A few techniques can help bring your heart rate back to normal right away. For instance, if you’re going from sitting to standing, make sure you rise slowly. This is because standing too quickly can make you dizzy and increase your heart rate. Also, make your home and other surroundings cool and comfortable, since high temperatures increase heart rate and blood flow.

There are also other approaches that help reduce heart rate in the short term and long term. Vagal maneuvers are natural treatments that are used to slow a rapid heartbeat by stimulating receptors of the internal carotid arteries (two major blood vessels in your neck). This stimulation causes reflex stimulation of the vagus nerve, which releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and slows electrical impulses that lead to rapid heartbeats.

Some of these vagal maneuvers include coughing, bearing down, the Valsalva maneuver, cold stimulus to the face, gagging, and a carotid massage, as well as other natural treatments. The following is some detail on the natural therapies you can try:

1. Cold Stimulus to the Face

Place an ice pack on the face or emerge the face in cold water for around 10 seconds. This helps reduce the heart rate while creating a physiological response similar to when you jump into cold water.

2. Valsalva Maneuver

Blowing through a syringe is also called the Valsalva maneuver. This is where you blow into a syringe when lying down, face up, for 15 seconds. This method increases pressure within the chest cavity, and slows the heart rate to potentially stop abnormal rhythm.

3. Carotid Massage

The carotid arteries supply blood to the face, neck, and brain. A carotid massage will apply pressure under the jaw in a gentle, circular motion for around 10 seconds. This is not recommended for those with carotid artery stenosis or a history of smoking.

4. Deep Breathing and Stress Reduction

Research shows that acute emotional stress can have significant impact on heart rate; therefore, managing stress is a beneficial part of treatment. Deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, yoga, prayer, and relaxation therapy can all help reduce your heart rate. Inhale for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, and exhale for five seconds to lower heart rate with deep breathing.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is well documented to improve cardiovascular functioning. One review of eight studies from 2008 shows that 87% to 100% of the participants using acupuncture would convert to a normal heart rhythm. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of various cardiac arrhythmias.

6. Maintain Healthy Weight

Research shows that stable weight loss reduces irregular heart rate. A 2016 study, in particular, found that the most common arrhythmia type, atrial fibrillation, is linked to obesity and being overweight, whereas overweight populations in general have higher severity, progression, prevalence, and incidence of atrial fibrillation compared to those of a normal weight.

7. Quit Smoking

Tobacco smoke is considered the most preventable cause of death and modifiable risk factor for coronary diseases. As a result, quitting smoking is a good idea to help prevent the development of cardiac arrhythmias or an irregular heartbeat.

8. Exercise

A regular exercise plan and daily physical activity can also help those with an irregular heartbeat maintain a normal heart rate and healthy heart. Evidence also shows that exercise improves lipid profile, blood pressure, and overall mortality.

Foods that Lower Heart Rate

Do you want to know how to lower heart rate and blood pressure with diet? Eating a healthy diet with anti-inflammatory foods is important since they contain antioxidants and phytonutrients that reduce the overactive response of the immune system. These are foods that help regulate heart rate.

Healthy fats and animal proteins in particular help balance cholesterol and increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol—also called good cholesterol. In addition, there are several foods that lower heart rate as part of an anti-inflammatory diet, especially fiber-rich vegetables and all kinds of fruits, and herbs and spices, and beans and legumes.

What are specific foods that lower heart rate? Let’s take a look at how to lower your heart rate naturally with food.

1. High-Antioxidant Foods

Some foods with the most antioxidants include goji berries, wild blueberries, elderberries, cranberries, dark chocolate, and artichokes. Foods high in antioxidants like quercetin and lutein are well known to protect against heart disease and blood vessel problems.

2. Bananas

Bananas are a great source fiber, magnesium and potassium, which are useful for reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing high blood pressure, and regulating heart rate. Potassium benefits heart rate because it regulates circulation, water retention, and sodium within the body.

3. Raisins

Most raisins are produced from Thompson seedless grapes. They are also full of fiber, magnesium, and potassium, which makes raisins great for overall heart health especially lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rate. Eat a handful of raisins three times daily to help regulate your heart rate.

4. Spinach

This green leafy vegetable is able to protect heart health by improving the functions of nitric acid. In turn, this improves blood pressure, circulation, and blood vessel health. Spinach is also a good source of heart rate-regulating potassium.

5. Nuts

High Heart Beat At Night

Nuts in general are excellent for heart health and regulating heart rate, especially almonds and Brazil nuts. They are high in healthy fats, and other key heart health nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, selenium, and potassium.

6. Seeds

Seeds are another healthy fat source that is excellent for heart health. Some of the better heart rate-regulating seeds include flaxseed, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. Sesame seeds in particular improve thyroid health, and the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating heart rate.

7. Legumes and Beans

Beans and legumes in general are also very beneficial for heart health and heart rate regulation. Some of the most common legume varieties include kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, and green beans. Research shows legumes benefit the heart through reducing blood pressure, triglycerides, and inflammation.

8. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is more than a pie filling or Halloween decoration. It is full of antioxidants like beta-carotene, which may offer protection against heart disease and regulate heart rate. Pumpkin also contains other heart rate-regulating nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

9. Wild-Caught Fish

Wild-caught fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are another important factor for reducing heart rate and overall heart health. One cross-sectional analysis of about 10,000 European men without heart disease published in the journal Circulation in 2003 showed that fish consumption was linked with a reduced heart rate. This is likely due to the abundant omega-3 fatty acids found in these types of fish.

10. Avocados

Some believe the avocado is the planet’s most nutritious food. Avocados are especially good when it comes to heart health, and regulating blood pressure and heart rate. These green and creamy fruits contain heart healthy monounsaturated fats, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

11. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, which do a good job of increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and promoting a healthy heart rate and a lower risk of heart disease.

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12. Raw Garlic and Other Herbs

Several herbs help benefit heart health, including cilantro, thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, and raw garlic. Research shows that garlic benefits people with uncontrolled hypertension. The polysulfides in garlic promote blood vessel health, blood pressure reduction, and hence also heart rate regulation. Garlic could also reverse early heart disease and plaque buildup in the arteries.

13. Turmeric and Other Spices

Pulse Rate Over 100 Indicates What

Spices also benefit heart health, especially cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, ginger, and turmeric. The curcumin in turmeric has been shown to have strong antioxidant activity that could potentially reduce heart inflammation, prevent atherosclerosis, and reduce irregular heartbeats.

Foods That Lower Heart Rate Could Save Your Life

The bottom line is that an elevated heart rate can signal a serious heart problem, with possible complications including frequent fainting, heart failure, and blood clots. These all can lead to stroke or heart attack, and in rare cases, sudden death also may occur.

Ventricular tachycardia is another complication where the ventricles of the heart beat faster than normal, and this can lead to dysrhythmias and problems with the blood pumping efficiently throughout the brain and body.

That is why therapies and foods that help regulate heart rate are important. Vagal maneuvers, deep breathing, yoga, acupuncture, and regular exercise can all help lower your heart rate in the moment and over the long term. Some of the key foods for heart rate regulation include turmeric, garlic, spinach, avocado, bananas, nuts, seeds, beans, and other legumes. Keep this in mind if you have problems with an irregular heartbeat.

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