Does your heart rate increase when sick
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Heart Rate Increase When Sick: An Analysis
Elevated Heart Rate During Illness
Heart Rate and Cardiovascular Risk
Research indicates that an elevated resting heart rate is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. This is due to genetic factors that influence heart rate regulation, which can also affect cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders1. When the body is fighting an illness, the heart rate often increases as part of the body's response to stress and infection.
Autonomic Regulation and Sick Leave
A study examining individuals on pain-related sick leave found that those with extended sick leave had higher heart rates and lower heart rate variability during rest. This suggests that autonomic regulation, which controls heart rate, is altered during periods of illness or stress2. The body's autonomic nervous system responds to illness by increasing heart rate to enhance blood flow and support immune function.
Mechanisms Behind Increased Heart Rate
Genetic Factors
Genetic susceptibility plays a significant role in heart rate regulation. Specific genes involved in signal transmission and cardiac development can influence heart rate, especially during illness. Variants that increase heart rate are associated with altered cardiac conduction and a reduced risk of certain heart conditions, such as sick sinus syndrome1.
Autonomic Nervous System Response
The autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, regulates heart rate. During illness, the sympathetic nervous system is often more active, leading to an increased heart rate. This response is part of the body's effort to manage stress and support recovery2.
Conclusion
In summary, heart rate typically increases when a person is sick due to the body's autonomic response to stress and infection. Genetic factors also play a role in this process, influencing how the heart rate is regulated during illness. Understanding these mechanisms can help in managing health and predicting outcomes related to cardiovascular health and recovery from illness.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Identification of heart rate–associated loci and their effects on cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders
New heart rate-associated loci identified in this study may provide new therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular diseases and rhythm disorders.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedLow heart rate variability is associated with extended pain-related sick leave among employed care-seekers.
Higher heart rate and lower heart rate variability in awake resting conditions predict extended pain-related sick leave in care-seeking individuals.
Observational StudyThe Relationship Between Heart Rate and Body Temperature in Critically Ill Patients
Increased body temperature in critically ill patients leads to a linear increase in heart rate of 9.46 beats/min/°C in females and 7.24 beats/min/°C in males, affecting the interpretation of heart rate values.
Observational StudyFever and cardiac rhythm.
High fever can shorten the PR interval and QT interval, but does not increase ventricular extrasystoles.
Observational StudyHighly CitedFever increases heart rate and respiratory rate; a prospective observational study of acutely admitted medical patients.
Fever has a modest association with changes in heart rate and respiratory rate in acutely admitted medical patients.
Observational StudyEffects of increased humidity on physiological responses, thermal comfort, perceived air quality, and Sick Building Syndrome symptoms at elevated indoor temperatures for subjects in a hot-humid climate.
Increasing humidity from 50% to 70% at 26 and 30°C does not significantly affect physiological responses, thermal comfort, perceived air quality, or SBS symptoms, but at 37°C, subjects feel hotter, more uncomfortable, and find indoor air quality more difficult to accept.
Non-RCTRigorous JournalSickle Cell Disease Subjects Have a Distinct Abnormal Autonomic Phenotype Characterized by Peripheral Vasoconstriction With Blunted Cardiac Response to Head-Up Tilt
Sickle cell disease patients exhibit abnormal autonomic responses to head-up tilt, potentially increasing their risk of vaso-occlusive crises.
Observational StudyImpact of Increased Heart Rate on Clinical Outcomes in Hypertension
Elevated heart rate is a neglected cardiovascular risk factor in both genders, and reducing it may potentially reduce cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedNew insights into pacemaker activity: promoting understanding of sick sinus syndrome.
Sick sinus syndrome may be caused by intrinsic factors in the heart's pacemaking mechanism, such as age-related degeneration of the sinus node.
Highly CitedPostexercise electrocardiographic and clinical changes in patients with sick sinus syndrome.
Postexercise electrocardiographic changes in sick sinus syndrome patients include a lengthening of the QTc interval in more than half of the patients, with clinical signs and ST-segment depression being the most significant clinical findings.
Non-RCT