Highish heart beat: I have an oximeter... - Lung Conditions C...

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Highish heart beat

11 years ago•13 Replies

I have an oximeter and my reading at the moment in sitting position is 110 for heartbeat. What is the norm? My sats read 94. Can anyone advise !!!!

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Poppymichael7

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13 Replies

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helingmic11 years ago

Poppymichael7, heart beat can very from very slow (60) to pretty high 140 and more. If you had 140, you would have to mention it straight away to your doc. 110 can be a little high sitting down, but I don't think it to be worried. Breathing for bronchiectasis people or people with damaged lungs can be a labour intensive activity. If your sats are 94%, again it's fairly good. Again if the percentage went below 80%, you'd have to contact your doc or even an ambulance so this could be attended too.

In this case, although the norm for non damaged lungs are 97%, it may be that yours is just a bit on the low side. since you have the oxymeter, you could record this 2 or 3 times a day over a week and compare at the end of the week. I did this for several years! Eventually, I became more anxious of the sats going down. somebody did me a favour of a sort and stole it. since it's fairly expensive, I never bought a new one and rely on the doc or nurses to tell me and asses professionally.

I've had low sats of 71% lately and 39 temperature ( 102.2 in old money). I felt pretty grotty and I had pneumonia. Boy, you would know if your sats were low. Then don't hesitate to phone a doc or an ambulance to help you.

O2Trees• in reply tohelingmic11 years ago

People in my BE group who were put onto oxygen said they hadnt always known their sats were so low. Ive always been told the 88% is the cut-off point and below that you risk organ damage - not 80%. (The founder of our BE group went on to be the BLF nurse advisor, retired now).

71% is very low and you don't say if you are on oxygen. But anyone reading this whose saturation is at 88 or below needs monitoring at the very least. BLF helpline would advise - click on red balloon logo top right of the page for number.

helingmic• in reply toO2Trees11 years ago

O2Trees; I'm not on oxygen. I had pneumonia with very low oxygen level indeed, that's why i called the ambulance. I went to my pulmonary nurse today, my oxygen level was 94%. she liked this, as with bronchiectasis, oxygen can be lower than the norm. I agree with Daxiemad, it's how you feel in yourself that is important.

but it's true, if you're horrified with a result, it's a good idea to ring the BLF advice line, or your surgery to have a word with your doctor, or the 111 service (a bit slow to answer and they go through a lot of questions which are not relevant to you; but you'll get a doctor to talk to you and, if necessary, to call at your place).

Have a hot drink, sit in a straight armchair, not doing too much else.

O2Trees• in reply tohelingmic11 years ago

I thought when Daxiemad was speaking about how you feel in yourself she was speaking about heart rate, not oxygen.

I realised you are not on oxygen now - what i meant was that you didnt say whether you were put on oxygen at the time your sats went down to 71% during your pneumonia.

The last major flare-up i had i desaturated to 84% and they were very quick to get me on oxygen - it wasnt to do with my breathing, which was poor, and the oxygen made no difference to it, but to do with possible organ damage through being under 88% sats.

You can lower your heart rate through meditation, stroking pets etc, but oxygen is another matter entirely. I am only on O2 during bad flare-ups and when flying. Generally at around 94% at rest like yourself.

helingmic• in reply toO2Trees11 years ago

O2Trees; yes, the ambulancemen took me to the ambulance, sat me down and put an oxygen mask on. I had oxygen for the duration of my 5-day stay in hospital. The last day they wanted me to wean myself off it. It was a bit scary,as I became dependent on it, but with the pulmonary doctor coming, she said we'll give yo another day, and then you go home!

firefighter51• in reply toO2Trees7 years ago

actually any o2 levels below 94% consistently is considered a risk

O2Trees• in reply tofirefighter517 years ago

Ideally you should be 94% or above, but Ive never heard of anyone being prescribed O2 whose oxygen levels are 93%.

Daxiemad11 years ago

Hi Poppymichael7

People with damaged lungs sometimes have to work a bit harder, and as a result the heartbeat can become elevated, also some medications can also cause increased or rapid heartbeat. As for Oxygen levels, mine even when well can usually be around 94/95%. So until you have seen your GP try and keep calm, my heartbeat and sat levels can go up and down over the day, and whilst these home gadgets are very useful in letting you know how your body is doing, they can also cause panic when you don't know how to understand and the assess the information they are providing. The most important thing to remember is how you feel in yourself, that is just as important a factor. So make an appointment with your GP or nurse practitioner to discuss your worries, and the mean time go and make yourself a cuppa, find something enjoyable and try to relax. xxxx Huggles Daxiemad, PS if you have a pet go and give them a cuddle, a brilliant way to destress and bring the whole heart rate down.

Poppymichael711 years ago

Thank you both for your replies. It puts my mind at rest hearing other peoples stories. Hugs to you both xx

stilltruckin11 years ago

Normal resting heart rate varies according to age and fitness level.

See where you are on the heart-rate chart here . . . topendsports.com/testing/he...

11 years ago

I would keep an eye on that Poppymichael7, if it is persistently high at rest, I would mention this to your doctor. My doc was concerned when my pulse rate was 110 at rest, but that was when I was in my early 50s.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse

stilltruckin11 years ago

I've just read this:

"The measurement of resting heart rate should be taken after a few minutes upon waking whilst still lying in bed. Give your body some time to adjust to the change from sleeping before taking your pulse (2-5 minutes). If you are not able to take a measurement first thing in the morning, make sure you lie down for at least 10 minutes before taking a measurement."

And discovered that while sitting, quite relaxed, in an armchair my heart rate is 74, but after lying down on the settee for 10 minutes it drops to 63 . . .

Poppymichael711 years ago

Thank you all for your replies xx

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