A RACING HEART
NEWS COPY
By Gemma Francis
Sex, having an argument – and accidentally liking a photo while stalking someone’s social media profile are among the things most likely to get your heart racing, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults also found going on a first date, confronting someone and having a near miss are guaranteed to cause a spike in your heart rate.
Other things which get your heart going include realising you’ve made a mistake at work, almost tipping over backwards in a chair and waking up from a nightmare.
It also emerged the average adult will experience a racing heart four times a week, with more than three quarters admitting it’s fairly easy to get their heart pumping.
Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and Medical Director at Healthspan which commissioned the research said: “We all have moments where we start to worry or become scared about something, causing our heart rate to spike in panic which is perfectly normal.’
“For most of us, the increased heart rate will drop once the worry or fear has subsided, but a racing heart could also be a serious health issue.
“If your resting pulse rate is unexpectedly below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia), or persistently stays above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) at rest, see your doctor.
"You should also seek immediate medical advice if your pulse rate is irregular.
“It’s important to keep an eye on your heart health and speak to your GP if your heart races for no reason.”
Exercise is most likely to cause your heart to race followed by having sex, attending a job interview and going on a first date.
Having an argument came fifth, with making a presentation at work and confronting someone about something close behind.
A near-miss in a car or while riding a bike, the moment you realise you’ve made a mistake at work and taking a driving test completed the top ten.
Driving often leads to a spike in your heart rate with being a passenger in a car driven by a bad driver, getting lost, going too fast and trying to squeeze through a narrow gap all featuring.
Many also admitted to suffering a faster heart beat if they struggle to find their vehicle in a car park, worrying it has been stolen.
Running to catch the last bus or train, losing your passport ahead of a trip and the moment before you’re about to take off in a plane also make the top 50.
Worryingly, work-related activities are also to blame for getting the nation’s hearts racing with many saying it beats faster when they hand in their notice, if their boss asks to see them in the boardroom or they ask for a pay rise.
Other reasons for a racing heart include taking an exam, a first kiss, hearing a noise at night and watching your favourite football team in an important game.
Losing your phone, watching a scary film or TV show, bumping into an ex, sending a ‘risky’ text and almost spilling a drink will also lead to a faster heartbeat.
But researchers from OnePoll.com found some could suffer a racing heart due to health reasons, with 45 per cent admitting they don’t look after the health of the blood-pumping muscle.
Six in ten admit they worry about their heart health, with one in five even consulting a health professional due to their concerns.
And seven in ten have tried to make a change – big or small – to their lifestyle to try and boost their heart health.
Over a quarter of those surveyed in their forties, and forty per cent of those in their fifties had already been diagnosed with high cholesterol but people are still confused about good and bad cholesterol.
Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and Medical Director for Healthspan added: “Over half of all adults in the UK have raised cholesterol according to Heart UK – putting them at increased risk of heart disease.
“Making one or two small changes to heart health can make a difference. If you are on a statin you may benefit from taking supplements containing vitamin D and co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) as statins lower circulation levels of both these important nutrients.”
Top 50 things most likely to make your heart race
1. Exercise
2. Having sex/a good orgasm
3. Going for a job interview
4. Going on a first date
5. Having an argument with someone
6. Making a presentation at work
7. Confronting someone about something
8. A near miss while driving or cycling
9. The moment you realise you've made a mistake at work
10. Before your driving test
11. Almost tipping over backwards in a chair
12. Being a passenger in a car driven by a bad driver
13. Taking an exam
14. A first kiss
15. When you hear a noise at night
16. Waking up from a nightmare
17. Making a complaint
18. Losing sight of your child
19. Running to catch the last bus/train
20. Watching your favourite football team in an important game
21. Losing your phone
22. Whatever your phobia is eg seeing spider, wasp, snake, clown
23. Getting lost
24. Seeing your crush
25. Watching a scary film or TV show
26. Realising your forgot to lock the front door
27. Bumping into your ex
28. Seeing a spider out the corner of your eye
29. Winning money
30. The last five minutes of a football match when your team is winning 1-0
31. Losing your passport ahead of a trip
32. As you're about to take off in a plane
33. When you almost spill a drink
34. Driving fast in a car
35. Making a big purchase
36. Getting married
37. Making a last minute bid on eBay
38. Sending an email or text to the wrong person
39. Sending a 'risky' text
40. Not being able to find your car in a car park
41. Driving through a narrow gap
42. Handing in your notice at work
43. When the boss asks to see you in the boardroom
44. Getting on the wrong train/tube/bus
45. When you realise you've left the iron or hair straighteners on after you've left the house
46. Realising you've forgotten someone's birthday
47. A cliffhanger on a TV or film
48. Cycling down a hill
49. Asking for a pay rise
50. Accidentally liking someone's post or photo when you are stalking them on social media
ENDS
