Hi Loretta A rapid or fast heartbeat is when your heart is beating faster than normal. A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia is considered a heart rate of greater than 100 beats per minute If you are exercising, or performing any kind of activity, your heart will normally beat faster. This allows your heart to pump blood through out your body, to provide oxygen to the tissues If you are experiencing fear, anxiety or stress, your heart rate will increase There are many other causes of a rapid heartbeat, including: - Infection in the lung, such as pneumonia - Infection in the blood, which may cause a fever - Anemia - Low blood pressure - Dehydration - Drinking alcohol and caffeine -Over the counter decongestants, and appetite suppressants -Thyroid disorders -Heart disorders, including irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias Things you can do: -Smoking can cause palpitations and increased heart rate. If you smoke, be sure to quit. Smoking can also increase the chance of developing heart vessel damage. -Caffeine and alcohol can cause palpitations and increased heart rate. Eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet, and your symptoms may resolve. -Keep a diary of your increased heart rate, if it is occurring regularly. Write down the foods that you have eaten, the exercise or activity you were undergoing when the rapid or irregular heartbeats occurred, and how you felt before they occurred. This diary may be valuable in determining the cause of your symptoms. If I were your treating doctor some of the medications like Ace Inhibitors, Anti Anxiety medicatons etc would have been consider after evaluation Practice Medication and regular exercise/walking for 45 minutes daily Wish You Good Health Regards Dr Sridhar K