What is the relationship between fever and heart rate?

The relationship between fever and heart rate is characterized by an increase in heart rate, which is a physiological response often referred to as "tachycardia." When the body temperature rises due to fever, typically as a result of infection or inflammation, the body's metabolic rate also increases. This heightened metabolic state requires more oxygen and nutrients, which prompts the heart to pump more vigorously to meet the body's increased demand.

The mechanisms involved include the release of pyrogens that stimulate the hypothalamus to raise the body's set point temperature. This increase is often accompanied by a rise in heart rate, as the cardiovascular system responds to support the body's efforts to combat the underlying condition causing the fever.

In typical physiological terms, for every degree Celsius increase in body temperature, heart rate can increase by approximately 10 to 15 beats per minute. This relationship illustrates the body's adaptive response to fever, aiming to enhance circulation and deliver necessary resources to various cells and tissues fighting off an infection or other challenges. Thus, the correct understanding of this relationship underscores the important connection between body temperature and cardiovascular response in clinical settings.