From the Guidelines
Elevated vitamin B12 levels are not a direct cause of increased heart rate, and any correlation between the two is likely due to an underlying condition. When evaluating a patient with tachycardia, it's essential to consider various factors, including signs of increased work of breathing, oxyhemoglobin saturation, and potential reversible causes of the tachycardia, as outlined in the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1. Some key points to consider in the evaluation of tachycardia include:
- The rate of tachycardia takes on clinical significance at its greater extremes, typically above 150 beats per minute 1
- A rapid heart rate can be an appropriate response to physiologic stress, such as fever or dehydration, or other underlying conditions 1
- The evaluation and management of tachyarrhythmias should focus on identifying potential reversible causes and assessing the patient's degree of instability 1 If you're experiencing an increased heart rate and have high B12 levels, it's crucial to discuss with your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms, as high B12 levels can be associated with conditions such as liver disease or certain blood disorders. In terms of vitamin B12, the normal range is typically between 200-900 pg/mL, and elevated levels are not typically associated with increased heart rate. Other factors, such as anxiety, caffeine intake, medication side effects, thyroid disorders, or cardiovascular issues, are more commonly associated with heart rate changes. Therefore, a complete evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of persistent heart rate changes, rather than assuming it's related to elevated B12 levels.
From the Research
Elevated Vitamin B12 and Heart Rate
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that elevated vitamin B12 causes an increased heart rate.
- However, high serum levels of vitamin B12 have been associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cancer mortality 2, 3.
- A study found that each 100 pmol/L increase in serum vitamin B12 concentration was associated with a 4% higher risk of all-cause mortality in the general population and a 6% higher risk for all-cause mortality in older adults 2.
- Another study reported that high serum levels of vitamin B12 can be caused by various factors, including solid neoplasia, acute or chronic hematological diseases, liver disorders, and excess vitamin B12 intake 4.
- The relationship between vitamin B12 and cardiovascular disease is complex, and while some studies suggest that higher intakes of vitamin B12 may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, others found that vitamin B12 supplementation had no significant effect on cardiovascular outcomes 5.
- Overall, the evidence suggests that elevated vitamin B12 levels may be associated with various health risks, but the relationship between vitamin B12 and heart rate is not well established 2, 4, 6, 5, 3.