What Causes High Resting Pulse Rate?

High resting pulse rate can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'very serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose high resting pulse rate, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "high resting pulse rate" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities:

Heart Disease
Hypothyroidism
Stroke Risk
Anemia
Low Estrogens
Food Allergies
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)
Hyperthyroidism

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

high T3 free level

constant fatigue

very low hematocrit

chest pain when breathing

early term miscarriage

major unexplained weight gain

being highly lethargic

having hard stools

low hematocrit

current birth control pill use

premenstrual bloating/weight gain

history of hyperthyroidism

... and more than 180 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of high resting pulse rate:

Cause	Probability	Status
Hypothyroidism	92%	Confirm
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)	28%	Unlikely
Anemia	14%	Unlikely
Heart Disease	0%	Ruled out
Hyperthyroidism	0%	Ruled out
Stroke Risk	0%	Ruled out
Food Allergies	0%	Ruled out
Low Estrogens	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Commonly Known Lab Values section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about your resting pulse rate:

What is your resting pulse rate? While at rest, hold two fingers under your wrist below the base of your thumb until you can feel your pulse. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply this number by 4.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Under 60 beats per minute
→ 60 to 70
→ 71 to 80
→ Over 80 beats per minute

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate slowed pulse rate, normal pulse rate or rapid pulse rate, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Allergy to Foods (Hidden)

Anemia

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

Heart rate is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular death in the elderly, particularly in men, than traditional risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension. Elderly men with a resting pulse rate above 80 beats per minute have a significantly higher rate of cardiovascular mortality. A low heart rate, below 64 beats per minute, is protective against cardiovascular mortality.

Estrogens Low

Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Stroke

Resting heart rate is a good indicator of cardiovascular health.

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

... and also rule out issues such as:

Allergy to Foods (Hidden)

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

Stroke

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