Is this normal for a heart rate?

[dmbfan07cb]

I'm a 22 year old healthy male, about 20-20 pounds overweight and very out of shape.
My heart rate is usually between high 70's or low 90's while resting, just depending on how relaxed I am.  When I stand up it jumps up to the 120's,  I also notice it hovers in the 120's while doing things around the house, like just walking to the kitchen and stuff like that.  It nearly immediately goes back down to my resting rate when I sit down.  Does this sound normal?

[dmbfan07cb]

Yeah sometimes I feel like my bp may increase because if I sit down during one of these spells, my heart rate will slow down alot and I feel weird.  I cannot afford to go to the doctor.  I have no insurance.  I only went to the ER because they treat you no matter what. I'm already probably going to have to file bankruptcy from my 2 ER visits, over 6,000 dollars.  I get free visits to the mental health place but thats it. I have no job and literally about 1.50 to my name.  I'm going to see if i cant be put on disability and see if that changes anything, but I doubt it.  Do you think this can wait for a few weeks, untill i've started the SSRI and see if this isnt just my anxiety working me over? Seems like this doesnt happen if I don't think about it.  Problem is, this is all I can think about now...   From what i'm reading POTS doesn't seem to be life threatening, I hope it's not.

-Doug

[bgrimes86]

The symptoms you are describing sound like they are related to your low sodium diet, and the fact that your symptoms become worse when you are dehydrated sets off an alarm in my head. You see, a certain amount of sodium and liquids in the diet are essential for maintaining blood pressure. Sodium helps to increase blood volume and blood pressure by helping the body to retain water. And as everyone knows, too much sodium causes high blood pressure, and consequently, not enough causes low blood pressure. If you do in fact have POTS, it may be related to low blood volume, and treatment will consist of increasing your sodium and liquid intake. However, I urge you NOT TO INCREASE YOUR SODIUM INTAKE unless a doctor tells you to do so, as this can cause high blood pressure. In the meantime, try consuming more liquids and stay away from alcohol and caffeine (tough, I know), because they are diuretics (cause you to pee more) and will make your problems a lot worse. The fact that you become faint upon standing, feel your heart begin to race, and have a pressure in your head is a strong indication that your blood pressure is dropping more than it should, and increasing fluid and salt intake (if your doctor approves) will more than likely help you out considerably.

I mentioned you may be experiencing the hyperadrenergic form of POTS. However, I should have worded my answer differently. Most forms of POTS are hyperadrenergic--the body produces extra adrenalin in order to compensate for the decrease in blood pressure. And because POTS can come in so many different forms, the treatment options I mentioned to you may not be suitable. My blood pressure drops suddenly when I stand, but then INCREASES considerably. As a result, blood pressure lowering medications and sedatives have helped me tremendously, but may make you worse. You really need to speak with a doctor about what you're experiencing. If you want, buy a blood pressure monitor and take your blood pressure while sitting for at least 5 minutes, then right after standing, and then 10 minutes after standing. This will give you some indication as to what's going on with your blood pressure and heart rate. Don't worry, things will get better...God is not going to give you more than you can handle.

Good Luck,

Ben

[dmbfan07cb]

You know, I bet this could be what I have.  I notice that if I don't eat alot of foods with sodium it's worse.  Also if I don't drink enough water i feel it more.  Soemtimes when I stand up I feel faint and I become aware of my heartbeat and I have a bit of pressure in my head.  I didn't notice this really until i started a low-sodium/low fat diet.  I also have SEVERE anxiety and my worst fear is blacking out/fainting.  I think that it fuels the feeling and makes it worse than it actually is.  I don't have health insurance or a job so I cannot go to the doctor right now unless it's pressing. I do have an appointment with a Therapist and a psychiatrist (which is free here) where I will be prescribed an SSRI.  Should I raise my salt intake and try the SSRI, and see if things improve?  And yes, bgrimes86 I did read your answer to my sinus arrhymia question, very intelligent response on both cases.  Very much appreciative.  Glad to know there are people who understand and care out there.

[bgrimes86]

It sounds like you are experiencing some form of autonomic dysfunction, maybe Postural Orhtostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. What is your blood pressure while sitting and while standing? If it is high, then you may be experiencing the hyperadrenergic version, where your body produces too much epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine. I suffer from a relatively mild form of this disorder and I believe it is somehow connected to my anxiety, as people with severe anxiety can sometimes experience dysautonomia, but whether the anxiety triggered the dysautonomia or the dysautonomia triggered the anxiety remains unknown to the medical community. Treatment is aimed at slowing the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure through the use of a beta blocker or direct-acting α2 adrenergic agonist. Also, SSRI's and benzodiazepines can also help significantly, both at treating the autonomic dysfunction and by improving depression and anxiety. I was in your exact same situation six months ago, and with treatment, I have been slowly getting better. I wish you all the best.

P.S. I hope you read my answer to your post regarding sinus arrhythmia.

- Ben