Sinus Tachycardia in Doctor's Office

[WWFStern]

Even though, in day-to-day situations, such as when I'm at home or at work, my pulse rate varies between about 75 bpm and 85 bpm, my pulse always races when I'm at the doctor's office.

I am 29 years old now, and have been referred to cardiologists twice over the years, because the primary care doctor found my resting pulse rate to be between 120 and 140 bpm while taking my vitals.

EKGs (taken, of course, in a doctor's office) have always indicated a regular, just highly elevated, rhythm. I guess it's akin to what would manifest if someone were in a highly stressful, "pulse-pounding" situation.

Should I be concerned about this? I feel nervous when I visit the doctor--no matter which doctor it is--but it seems a bit extreme for my pulse to be elevated by almost 70%.

[CCFHeartMD14]

..... ......I would also suggest you to talk to your primary doctor to do basic tests (if not done already) to rule out any other possible causes of rapid heart rate like anemia, hyperthyroidism etc.
However I understand that it occurs only during doctors appointments so these test may likely to come back normal.
Lastly, if you don't exercise enough you may get easily rapid heat rate with physical activity or stress and it may be additional thing to consider.
With best wishes

[CCFHeartMD14]

Hi,
No one can diagnose via the Internet.
It is completely normal that our heart rate varies during a day, being slower during a sleep and at rest and being at the range you described (120-140/min) or higher during exercise or stress.
Visit in doctor's office may be stressful for some of us. The phenomenon of ''white coat hypertension' -high blood pressure in the doctor's office only is well recognized. Accordingly one can have elevated heart rate with stress related to doctor's appointment.
One way to prove that it is benign finding would be a 24 hours Holter monitoring -which is a monitoring your heart rate for 24 hours. This may reassure your primary physican that you have  completely normal heart rate out of doctor's office.
I would also suggest you to talk to your primary doctor to do basic tests (if not done already)