Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRelationshipBlood Pressure FactorsHeart Rate FactorsWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Relationship
Blood Pressure Factors
Heart Rate Factors
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Blood pressureandheart rate(pulse) are two important vital signs measured at your healthcare visits. Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood on the blood vessel walls. Blood vessels can be thought of as a plumbing system, and they can widen or constrict to control blood pressure.
This article discusses the relationship between your heart rate and blood pressure, factors that can affect each of them, and when to seek help forabnormal readings.
Does Heart Rate Affect Blood Pressure?
Heart rate andblood pressureare controlled separately. However, they can impact each other. This is especially true at extremes, such as when heart rate is very high or blood pressure is very low.
In some cases, heart rate has a direct effect on blood pressure. For example, if the heart rate becomes dangerously high, such as during anarrhythmia, blood pressure often drops. This happens because the heart rate is too high for the heart to pump blood effectively.
The Heart and Nervous SystemHigh blood pressureand high heart rate can be seen with exercise and emotional stress. This is because the sympatheticnervous systemis activated for the fight-or-flight response. Due to stimulation from the nervous system, heart rate increases and blood vessels constrict to increase blood pressure.
The Heart and Nervous System
High blood pressureand high heart rate can be seen with exercise and emotional stress. This is because the sympatheticnervous systemis activated for the fight-or-flight response. Due to stimulation from the nervous system, heart rate increases and blood vessels constrict to increase blood pressure.
Factors That Affect Blood Pressure
Lower blood pressure may be seen with:
Higher blood pressure is seen with:
Measuring Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Factors That Affect Heart Rate
Heart rate is very sensitive to the nervous system, hormones, and volume status. This includes:
Medications such as stimulants,asthmamedication, some antidepressants, and thyroid medication can increase heart rate. Drugs includingbeta blockers,calcium channel blockers, and digoxin can slow heart rate.
A single abnormal reading for blood pressure or heart rate is not always a cause for alarm. However, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention.
High Blood Pressure
Tips for Measuring Blood PressureBlood pressure is best measured in a state of comfortable rest. First, sit on a chair with your feet on the floor for five minutes. Make sure your arm is at heart level and rests on a table. Then take your pressure, being sure to use a right-sized cuff. Don’t take your pressure within 30 minutes of exercising, smoking, or eating.
Tips for Measuring Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is best measured in a state of comfortable rest. First, sit on a chair with your feet on the floor for five minutes. Make sure your arm is at heart level and rests on a table. Then take your pressure, being sure to use a right-sized cuff. Don’t take your pressure within 30 minutes of exercising, smoking, or eating.
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure in the presence of symptoms like lightheadedness, fatigue, or fainting, with signs of bleeding or infection, is also a reason to have a medical evaluation.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any recent medication changes. Discuss any signs of infection (likefever, cough,diarrhea, vomiting, or painful urination), or signs of bleeding (like dark colored stools or blood in the stool).
High Heart Rate
If you have periods of high heart rate with palpitations, make note of whether your heart rate feels regular or irregular. Also note if the changes started suddenly or gradually. This information can be helpful as your healthcare provider looks for certain patterns of arrhythmia.
If your healthcare provider suspects an arrhythmia, they may recommend awearable heart monitorthat can diagnose the arrhythmia. Your provider may also order lab tests like thyroid hormone tests andelectrolytelevels.
Low Heart Rate
Some people who are physically fit naturally have a low resting heart rate.Heart rate also normally decreases during sleep. If a low heart rate is found in a young and otherwise healthy individual, and it is not causing symptoms, it is not likely a cause for alarm.
However, a low heart rate can indicate an underlying problem with the heart, such as heart block. Heart block is a condition in which the heart’s electrical system is not functioning properly. Symptoms can include fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. Sometimes heart block requires apacemaker.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Summary
Blood pressure and heart rate are two closely linked vital signs that help to ensure the brain and organs receive enough blood flow. They function separately, but one can change in response to the other.
It’s normal for blood pressure and heart rate to increase in response to exercise and stress. Other reasons for having blood pressure or a heart rate that is too high or low may suggest an underlying health problem.
A Word From Verywell
With the widespread use of wearable technology, such as fitness monitors and smart watches, heart rate information is literally at our fingertips. If you notice periods of high heart rate that occur randomly with no trigger, you could have an undiagnosed heart issue. Don’t hesitant to contact your healthcare provider to schedule an evaluation.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHigh blood pressure can increase the risk of certain arrhythmias. With longstanding hypertension, the heart experiences structural changes, such as changes in size and thickness of its walls. These can lead to certain arrhythmias that can cause rapid heart rate, like atrial fibrillation.In some cases, heart rate changes in response to blood pressure. For example, when blood pressure is significantly low, the heart will increase its rate to try to compensate to keep blood flowing to the organs.Normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).Normal heart rate for adults is between 60-100 beats per minute. However, heart rate may be higher than 100 during exercise or stress, or in response toanemia, infection, or other conditions.
High blood pressure can increase the risk of certain arrhythmias. With longstanding hypertension, the heart experiences structural changes, such as changes in size and thickness of its walls. These can lead to certain arrhythmias that can cause rapid heart rate, like atrial fibrillation.
In some cases, heart rate changes in response to blood pressure. For example, when blood pressure is significantly low, the heart will increase its rate to try to compensate to keep blood flowing to the organs.
Normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).Normal heart rate for adults is between 60-100 beats per minute. However, heart rate may be higher than 100 during exercise or stress, or in response toanemia, infection, or other conditions.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Blood pressure vs. heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.How to accurately measure blood pressure at home.American Heart Association.Tachycardia: fast heart rate.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Blood pressure vs. heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.How to accurately measure blood pressure at home.American Heart Association.Tachycardia: fast heart rate.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Heart Association.Blood pressure vs. heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).American Heart Association.How to accurately measure blood pressure at home.American Heart Association.Tachycardia: fast heart rate.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
American Heart Association.Blood pressure vs. heart rate (pulse).
American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).
American Heart Association.How to accurately measure blood pressure at home.
American Heart Association.Tachycardia: fast heart rate.
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
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