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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
high pulse rate
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum cover topics that include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
high pulse rate
by snowflakes959, Jan 10, 2008 08:45AM
hi docter do you think you can help.i am a 65years old.a woman.my problem i want to know is my heart rate at rest is always96.and i am worried about it.my blood pressure is normal.i have had an echo sound came back normal.i have had a 24hour tape on me and that was normal.why do you think it is always high,plus i get breathless.is there anything i can do to get it down.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Jan 10, 2008 09:13AM
, Jan 10, 2008 09:13AM
Hello,
Some people have faster resting heart rates than others. In the office I would typically order an echocardiogram, EKG, thyroid tests, and maybe a stress test depending on symptoms. If you had shortness of breath, I would probably do stress test. If they all came back normal and you had no other symptoms, I would tell you that you just have a faster resting heart rate than what is considered "normal."' This could be because of the the way your autonomic nervous system regulates your heart rate, but there is not a test to determine the cause other than what I mentioned above.
You should be able to decrease your heart rate with a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker. There is not a proven benefit to decreasing your heart rate, so the only important factor is whether it makes you feel better to have a slower heart rate.
I hope this helps. Thanks for posting.
Some people have faster resting heart rates than others. In the office I would typically order an echocardiogram, EKG, thyroid tests, and maybe a stress test depending on symptoms. If you had shortness of breath, I would probably do stress test. If they all came back normal and you had no other symptoms, I would tell you that you just have a faster resting heart rate than what is considered "normal."' This could be because of the the way your autonomic nervous system regulates your heart rate, but there is not a test to determine the cause other than what I mentioned above.
You should be able to decrease your heart rate with a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker. There is not a proven benefit to decreasing your heart rate, so the only important factor is whether it makes you feel better to have a slower heart rate.
I hope this helps. Thanks for posting.
Member Comments (3)
by snowflakes959, Jan 10, 2008 09:33AM
To: dr mcwilliams
thankyou for the reply.i did have echocardiogram and that came back normal.its just that i never used to have a high pulse rate.
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Jan 10, 2008 06:55PM
, Jan 10, 2008 06:55PM
I see that sometimes in clinic. I am usually at a lose for this happens.
