I recently had a terrible disagreement with someone and everytime I think about it I start shaking and my heart starts pounding from adrenaline, which according to Google is unhealthy. But our hearts are accelerated when exercising, which is supposed to be a good thing – so what is the difference?
In: Biology
Haven’t read all the responses here so forgive me if I’m repeating others, but on some level, fast HR and high BP are not *inherently* harmful, if we are just merely talking about the numbers themselves. There are certain mixed messages out there about numbers themselves being harmful in the absence of other risk factors, e.g. “you’re going to die if your systolic blood pressure is over 180,” this is mostly untrue and misleading. (within reason of course, I’m sure there are ridiculous numbers you could throw at me that would be exceptions)
The problem is constant and sustained HR and BP which cause damage to the heart over time. The damage to the heart itself is the critical variable here. This is what leads to critical cardiac events and eventually possible injury or death.
I know I didn’t quite answer your question about the difference between different causes of BP/HR spikes, I’m sure there are differences. In the big picture though, the goal isn’t to maintain a low blood pressure 24/7, it’s to keep the resting blood pressure low, and to ensure the overall curve isn’t too high.
I have monitored my heart rate daily for years. When I get that perception that my heart is pounding out of my chest from anxiety, anger, or stress…turns out my heart rate isn’t even elevated. Go figure.
A high heart rate is a symptom, not a condition, and as such is neither good nor bad.
The underlying factors link to stress and anxiety that also can elevate heart rate are bad for you.
Similarly, cardiovascular exercise that also elevates your heart rate is good for you.
Think of throwing a baseball, throw it really hard like trying to strike out a batter. Now do the exact same thing and intensity with an empty hand. It’s hurts like hell and causes eventual damage. The ligaments and muscles have something to push against, your heart and vessels need the same thing.
I do t know but I have the heart problem
that you get from the former. It’s called Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.
Should amputated individuals not exercise then?
I’ve been told by my therapist that adrenaline is stored and not released. So we have to get it “out” by excercising/elevated heart rate.
The Relaxation Response is a really great book I’m currently reading about the physiology and long-term physical effects of stress. It explains the relationship between blood pressure and different aspects of mental health. Pretty solid read just to understand what’s going on within
Your heart pumps because adrenaline is being released, blood is flowing all over your body including your muscles for you to use, in case of danger. If you don’t move, your body thinks you’re in significant danger and not doing anything, so it responds negatively out of confusion, which makes you more unhealthy and worse off.
It’s more about the cortisol released from those emotions. It literally ages you twice as fast and aren’t good for your body
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