Final answer:
An elevated resting heart rate and exaggerated response to exercise can indicate tachycardia, a condition where the heart rate exceeds 100 bpm. This might occur due to various factors, including extreme stress or underlying medical conditions. Treatment depends on the cause and may range from medication to surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
An elevated resting heart rate and an exaggerated increase in activity can be a sign of a condition known as tachycardia. Tachycardia is typically characterized by a resting heart rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute (bpm). It can occur in various situations, such as during pregnancy or due to extreme stress. Exercise also normally increases heart rate, but it should return to resting levels after a period of recovery. Treatment for tachycardia varies based on the underlying cause and may include medication or surgical interventions.
Several factors can influence heart rate, such as stress, which can activate the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, tachycardia might only affect the atria and present with symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and chest pain. While a high resting heart rate for children above 100 bpm is not considered tachycardia, it could indicate issues like anemia, hypoxia, or hyperthyroidism in adults. Notably, normal physiological conditions, including exercise, can lead to an expected transient increase in both heart rate and cardiac output. However, if the heart rate becomes too high, the effectiveness of the heart's pumping action might decrease.
It's essential to understand that a healthy heart can typically increase its rate significantly during exercise – up to 150 bpm or higher in young, fit individuals. This increase in heart rate during physical activity optimizes cardiac output and improves the delivery of oxygen to the body's tissues.