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What Causes Fast Heart Rate And Hearing Of Heart Beat After An Intensive Workout?
Question: Hi,
After intensive exercise, I.e. Workout or sex, I can sometimes hear the sound of my heartbeat through my mouth.
When I close my mouth the sound stops, I am not imagining this, as I have placed my mouth close to the ear of someone (whom I never told about this) and they could hear it too.
Heart rate when it becomes audible must be around 130 bpm, disappears (the sound that is) once heart rate returns to resting, which for me is between 70/80 usually.
I am male, 31 years old, do not take and medication or illegal drugs, I am a smoker of around 10 years (10-15 per day) and weigh 11.11 stone at the height of 175cm.
I do have the occasional palpitation or jump, and on two occassions have woke up a couple of hours into sleeping because I couldn't catch my breath.
Around 4 years ago I had a stress test, echo, and 24 hour holter monitor, which all came back fine, besides a mild Sinus Arrhythmia (at least I think that's what it's called).
After intensive exercise, I.e. Workout or sex, I can sometimes hear the sound of my heartbeat through my mouth.
When I close my mouth the sound stops, I am not imagining this, as I have placed my mouth close to the ear of someone (whom I never told about this) and they could hear it too.
Heart rate when it becomes audible must be around 130 bpm, disappears (the sound that is) once heart rate returns to resting, which for me is between 70/80 usually.
I am male, 31 years old, do not take and medication or illegal drugs, I am a smoker of around 10 years (10-15 per day) and weigh 11.11 stone at the height of 175cm.
I do have the occasional palpitation or jump, and on two occassions have woke up a couple of hours into sleeping because I couldn't catch my breath.
Around 4 years ago I had a stress test, echo, and 24 hour holter monitor, which all came back fine, besides a mild Sinus Arrhythmia (at least I think that's what it's called).
Brief Answer:
No worries - my opinion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Mr. XXXXX! Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I am Dr. Meriton and I understand your concern.
Let us take all the complaints one by one and step by step.
Every time we exercise, or have sexual intercourse (which is classified as physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity) our heart rate goes up and, also, the blood pressure. These are normal and physiological events that happen in our system, to compensate the load that physical activity imposes on our organism. Also, these are indicators that at those moments, our hearts not only beats faster, but also harder. Being the "tree" of arteries and veins and other smaller vessels, our body can produce these sounds in any part of it, during physically stressful activity. I hope you are clear to what happens, and my opinion is that there is nothing to worry about.
Also, your cardiac check-up was totally fine. Being in the age of 31 years old, means that your heart rate can go up to 189 beats per minute, and this is totally normal (the formula being: 220 - age). Now that we are sure even confirmed by the 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor registration, that there are not pathological events on your electrical and conduction system of the heart, the only approach is to reassure you that there is nothing to worry about. Sinus arrhythmia is a common event that, as I described above, can happen to any of us when we engage in physical activity or are undergoing psychological stress.
As for the palpitations, these are also benign events. Being the smoker that you are, this symptom can happen and is found almost always in smokers. In between, I would suggest you to quit smoking and, being physically active, my opinion is that you should be among the people that recognize this as an unhealthy behaviour. A palpitation almost always comes after an extrasystole. The latter is a heart beat generated not from the normal generator of heartbeats - the sinus node. After its occurrence, the heart electrical system "resets", producing a short pause. The normal beat coming after this pause is more forceful, and produces palpitation (a person can feel his heartbeat, and this is accompanied with shortness of breath and, sometimes, with a fear to one's asking him/her self "what is happening to me?"). Extrasystoles can happen after physical activity, psychological stress, tiring activities, in smokers (as I mentioned above). In most cases are benign. Even in the cases that they are not benign (which is decided according to the number in which the occur within a day), in your case, they would have been discovered on your 24-hour registration. Once again, even in this matter, my opinion is that there is nothing to worry about.
You are a perfectly in shape and active young man. I suggest you to continue your active life, quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake to a maximum of two beers or a shot of heavy drinks (vodka, gin, whiskey).
I hope I was helpful and thorough with my answer. Should you have any further questions, I would be happy to help. If you do not have further clarifications, please close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
No worries - my opinion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Mr. XXXXX! Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I am Dr. Meriton and I understand your concern.
Let us take all the complaints one by one and step by step.
Every time we exercise, or have sexual intercourse (which is classified as physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity) our heart rate goes up and, also, the blood pressure. These are normal and physiological events that happen in our system, to compensate the load that physical activity imposes on our organism. Also, these are indicators that at those moments, our hearts not only beats faster, but also harder. Being the "tree" of arteries and veins and other smaller vessels, our body can produce these sounds in any part of it, during physically stressful activity. I hope you are clear to what happens, and my opinion is that there is nothing to worry about.
Also, your cardiac check-up was totally fine. Being in the age of 31 years old, means that your heart rate can go up to 189 beats per minute, and this is totally normal (the formula being: 220 - age). Now that we are sure even confirmed by the 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor registration, that there are not pathological events on your electrical and conduction system of the heart, the only approach is to reassure you that there is nothing to worry about. Sinus arrhythmia is a common event that, as I described above, can happen to any of us when we engage in physical activity or are undergoing psychological stress.
As for the palpitations, these are also benign events. Being the smoker that you are, this symptom can happen and is found almost always in smokers. In between, I would suggest you to quit smoking and, being physically active, my opinion is that you should be among the people that recognize this as an unhealthy behaviour. A palpitation almost always comes after an extrasystole. The latter is a heart beat generated not from the normal generator of heartbeats - the sinus node. After its occurrence, the heart electrical system "resets", producing a short pause. The normal beat coming after this pause is more forceful, and produces palpitation (a person can feel his heartbeat, and this is accompanied with shortness of breath and, sometimes, with a fear to one's asking him/her self "what is happening to me?"). Extrasystoles can happen after physical activity, psychological stress, tiring activities, in smokers (as I mentioned above). In most cases are benign. Even in the cases that they are not benign (which is decided according to the number in which the occur within a day), in your case, they would have been discovered on your 24-hour registration. Once again, even in this matter, my opinion is that there is nothing to worry about.
You are a perfectly in shape and active young man. I suggest you to continue your active life, quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake to a maximum of two beers or a shot of heavy drinks (vodka, gin, whiskey).
I hope I was helpful and thorough with my answer. Should you have any further questions, I would be happy to help. If you do not have further clarifications, please close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi,
Thanks for the prompt, detailed and reassuring response.
I have had these occurrences of audible heartbeats since I was around the age of 16 (where at the time nothing bothered me as I thought I would live forever). I have only told my GP about this on one occasion, upon which I was looked at as if I was crazy and I am certain he thought I was imagining it.
The reason for the heart checkups 4 years ago, was due to experiencing a number of palpitations on a daily basis (between 4-8 on average). One palpitation was picked up on the 24 hour monitor, but the Cardiologist assured me it was of normal behaviour.
Googling the phenomenon, lead me to discover that an audible heartbeat could indicate issues with one or more of the valves, which of course lead to an increase in anxiety and subsequently posting my question here.
I believe (99%) that my issues are exasperated by anxiety and I am otherwise healthy, but that 1% of doubt leads me to believe it would be irresponsible for me not to investigate (although not as much as continuing to smoke).
I am trying to quit smoking although I am also finding it extremely difficult, and I have recently switched to "vaping" which according to a recent national news broadcast (UK) is 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco.
Aside from that, I suffer from what I can only describe using the term "brain fog", mild lightheadedness, fatigue, the occasional heart palpitation (always at rest) as well as shortness of breath. I would say these events happen in episodes, where (its my belief) upon experiencing a physical symptom, my levels of health anxiety increase and propagate something of a vicious circle.
To sum up, I do believe most of the above can be attributed to some sort of general health anxiety, but the possibility, even if remote, of it being something of a more serious nature, must be investigated.
My mother passed away at the age of 53 due to a heart attack, brought about by a long term respiratory ailment, from which towards the end it was evident she was suffering from heart failure (swollen ankles, severe shortness of breath and chronic cough). This event has spurred me into being proactive about my health (despite smoking) and most likely tainted my perception and contributed to my pre-existing symptoms as stated above.
I thank you in advance for any follow up information you can offer.
Kind Regards
XXXXXXX
Thanks for the prompt, detailed and reassuring response.
I have had these occurrences of audible heartbeats since I was around the age of 16 (where at the time nothing bothered me as I thought I would live forever). I have only told my GP about this on one occasion, upon which I was looked at as if I was crazy and I am certain he thought I was imagining it.
The reason for the heart checkups 4 years ago, was due to experiencing a number of palpitations on a daily basis (between 4-8 on average). One palpitation was picked up on the 24 hour monitor, but the Cardiologist assured me it was of normal behaviour.
Googling the phenomenon, lead me to discover that an audible heartbeat could indicate issues with one or more of the valves, which of course lead to an increase in anxiety and subsequently posting my question here.
I believe (99%) that my issues are exasperated by anxiety and I am otherwise healthy, but that 1% of doubt leads me to believe it would be irresponsible for me not to investigate (although not as much as continuing to smoke).
I am trying to quit smoking although I am also finding it extremely difficult, and I have recently switched to "vaping" which according to a recent national news broadcast (UK) is 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco.
Aside from that, I suffer from what I can only describe using the term "brain fog", mild lightheadedness, fatigue, the occasional heart palpitation (always at rest) as well as shortness of breath. I would say these events happen in episodes, where (its my belief) upon experiencing a physical symptom, my levels of health anxiety increase and propagate something of a vicious circle.
To sum up, I do believe most of the above can be attributed to some sort of general health anxiety, but the possibility, even if remote, of it being something of a more serious nature, must be investigated.
My mother passed away at the age of 53 due to a heart attack, brought about by a long term respiratory ailment, from which towards the end it was evident she was suffering from heart failure (swollen ankles, severe shortness of breath and chronic cough). This event has spurred me into being proactive about my health (despite smoking) and most likely tainted my perception and contributed to my pre-existing symptoms as stated above.
I thank you in advance for any follow up information you can offer.
Kind Regards
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Reassurance
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back, Mr. XXXXXXX
I understand all of your concerns. I know how you feel.
If it was a problem with valves or any other structural or functional problem of the heart, it would be surely depicted in the echocardiogram you performed four years ago. Although I would not recommend it based on the symptoms you provided, you can feel free and get another echocardiogram now. Yes, you have a genetic factor of cardiac diseases in the future, but it only comprises one of the factors which may or may not help us, as your treating doctors, evaluate the possible probability for such an event happening to you. The reason I asked you to quit smoking at this moment, is merely because it is an unhealthy behaviour and it is a hazardous risk factor for your health in the future. As about the palpitations (extrasystoles in rhythm registration), there has to be more than 10.000 of them, to be considered abnormal and mandate treatment. It is also possible that anxiety and psychological stress can exacerbate your symptoms, but it is only you that can battle with this unsettling and disturbing problem. If you feel the need, I recommend you to visit a psychiatrist, to further evaluate this part of your state, and him to decide whether treatment with benzodiazepines is needed at this moment or not. My opinion is that you are a healthy 31-year old, just like the other, and you should keep up living a healthy and normal life.
I hope this also helped. If you do not have further clarifications, close the discussion and rate the answer.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Reassurance
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back, Mr. XXXXXXX
I understand all of your concerns. I know how you feel.
If it was a problem with valves or any other structural or functional problem of the heart, it would be surely depicted in the echocardiogram you performed four years ago. Although I would not recommend it based on the symptoms you provided, you can feel free and get another echocardiogram now. Yes, you have a genetic factor of cardiac diseases in the future, but it only comprises one of the factors which may or may not help us, as your treating doctors, evaluate the possible probability for such an event happening to you. The reason I asked you to quit smoking at this moment, is merely because it is an unhealthy behaviour and it is a hazardous risk factor for your health in the future. As about the palpitations (extrasystoles in rhythm registration), there has to be more than 10.000 of them, to be considered abnormal and mandate treatment. It is also possible that anxiety and psychological stress can exacerbate your symptoms, but it is only you that can battle with this unsettling and disturbing problem. If you feel the need, I recommend you to visit a psychiatrist, to further evaluate this part of your state, and him to decide whether treatment with benzodiazepines is needed at this moment or not. My opinion is that you are a healthy 31-year old, just like the other, and you should keep up living a healthy and normal life.
I hope this also helped. If you do not have further clarifications, close the discussion and rate the answer.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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