Can Pain Cause Rapid Heart Beat?

Posted on Sat, 14 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 14 May 2016 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : does your heart rate increase when you are in pain? for example, a headache?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes, this can occur

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Yes, pain from any origin can cause an increase in heart rate.

As part of the body's stress response to pain, certain chemicals are released (norepinephrine and epinephrine).
This chemicals have different actions including causing an increase in pulse rate.

The normal pulse rate is 60 to 100. There are some persons who exercise extensively that may have a heart rate of less than 60.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar