Help understanding my pulse

[RebsterRoo]

I'm currently undergoing tests for a number of symptoms (mainly tiredness and fatigue). One of the things my GP noted was my pulse was quite high (100bpm) so I have started monitoring it more closely and have noticed quite a lot of variability. My "normal" pulse seems to be around 70bpm, but at times it will be as low as 50bpm or as high as 100bpm. This isn't linked to any major exertion, just day to day tasks. For example this morning, when I woke and was lying in bed, pulse was 73bpm. When I stood up out of bed it was 102bpm.

Is this kind of variability normal?

[Russ65]

Good morning.

I'm an advanced healthcare assistant and have been in the profession for around 26 years, so I do know a few bits and pieces about the body. And it sounds to me like you have something called atrial fibrillation. This is were the pacemaker section of the heart is not working properly.

If I were you I would go back to your gp and ask to have an ecg done. Certainly can't do any harm in asking. I hope this a help and I wish you the very best.

[Manhattan1]

ditto lol... my resting heartbeat has got as low as 44... it normally sits at mid 50’s.. during the evening if i’m watching tv.. it usually drops to low 50’s or just below that..if i walk at a moderate pace over about 100 yards i’ve seen it rise to 109.. i don’t know what to make of it

[Sunshinenow]

Hi, sorry you to hear you are experiencing these symptoms. There could be several reasons for this. One of them could be an element of POTS postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Variations are normal, however an increase in heart rate of 30beats or more within 10minutes of changing position can be associated with POTS. It's worth discussing all options with your medical team.

I hope you get answers soon. Take care x

[whistler]

Hi, sorry your struggling, and hope this info will help. I have heart failure, had AF first. Then it got weird, my heart jumped around and would often be low, I felt terrible, like I would faint, and it turned out to be sick sinus disease, as in sinus node of heart. Had a pacemaker fitted for the slow rate and meds for fast, so far so good.

Be aware if you have an ecg that appears to show nothing, it doesn't mean you do not have a problem, it just means the problem wasn't happening during that time. In which case ask for holter monitor 48 hour, so you can catch it when it happens and get diagnosed and treated. Hope it turns out well for you

Carole