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What Causes Increased Heart Rate After Eating?

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Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Question: My heart rate (pulse) has been relatively normal in the AM (between 75 -85) but jumps to 100- 120 as soon as I eat, do light tasks, etc. I'm 70 years old and this problem has just started about 3 months ago. I've been on the same meds. for at least 3 years now. My PCP prescribed 5mg of Valium when it goes high, but this hasn't helped at all. I wore a 24 hour Heart Monitor and it showed no problems. My pulse was 121 when I came home from getting it put on. My pulse before the Monitor was 76. You Drug Checker said that taking Enalapril & Terazosin could cause an "irregular heartbeat" but didn't elaborate. Thank you for your time. ... ed XXXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your heart is not able to increase stroke volume

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
Your heart rate is normal at rest but increases significantly after food or on exertion. This is because at these times higher cardiac blood output is required. Normally the heart increases the blood output with each beat and also by increasing the heart rate. Your heart is increasing the heart rate and not the heart output and so you have a higher than usual heart rate.
If you do not have any discomfort, you do not require treatment. You can improve the heart output and reduce the heat rate if you exercise gradually and build up your cardiovascular fitness.
Do you have any symptoms when your heart rate is high?
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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What Causes Increased Heart Rate After Eating?

Brief Answer: Your heart is not able to increase stroke volume Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query. Your heart rate is normal at rest but increases significantly after food or on exertion. This is because at these times higher cardiac blood output is required. Normally the heart increases the blood output with each beat and also by increasing the heart rate. Your heart is increasing the heart rate and not the heart output and so you have a higher than usual heart rate. If you do not have any discomfort, you do not require treatment. You can improve the heart output and reduce the heat rate if you exercise gradually and build up your cardiovascular fitness. Do you have any symptoms when your heart rate is high?