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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think resting heart rate 96 for a 32 year old (me) is alarming

79 replies

PussInCoutts · 05/03/2017 13:57

I have been suffering from weird fatigue on and off for a while now.

GP measured my resting heart rate - it was 96. The normal range is within 60 to 100. No matter what the age!

I'm only 32, surely my heart rate shouldn't be at the borders of something acceptable for an octogenarian?

What to do? I'm desperate. Going to some hospital tests soon but quite anxious as per what is going on in my body.

Any knowledge or advice would be much appreciated, and also your own experiences. Thanks a lot.

OP posts:

Basicbrown · 05/03/2017 13:59

Do you take regular exercise?

Basicbrown · 05/03/2017 14:00

And we're you 'resting' or a bit tense?

bigbluebus · 05/03/2017 14:01

I'm 53 and my resting heart rate is in high 60's if I'm sitting down and 80's if I'm standing up. So on that basis yours appears to be a bit on the high side. You do not say whether you are normal weight for your height which may have a bearing on it. If you are going for further tests then obviously the GP thinks it is worthy of investigation, bit if it was a medical emergency then you would have been sent straight to hospital - which I assume you haven't, so try not to panic.

brasty · 05/03/2017 14:01

Depends whether this is normal for you or not. Tests should tell you if this is normal, or if something is wrong. As the normal range is up to 100, some few will always be at either end.

Original poster

PussInCoutts · 05/03/2017 14:01

I have just started to, a few months ago. Not really before that.

I'm not overweight, my BMI is 22. Mind you I have an alarming amount of tummy fat. I've been warned it could make me diabetic..

OP posts:

ShatnersBassoon · 05/03/2017 14:02

Anaemia can cause a quick heart rate, and that ties in with the fatigue. Did your doctor seem at all concerned, or offer any opinion?

brasty · 05/03/2017 14:02

My resting heart rate has always been in mid 80s, ever since it was first tested in PE class as a fit 12 year old.

Original poster

PussInCoutts · 05/03/2017 14:02

Started to exercise I mean

I thought I was resting. The GP said I must've been anxious as it was such a high reading, but I really didn't feel like I was! And I get anxious quite a bit so I know what it feels like

OP posts:

Cinderpi · 05/03/2017 14:04

I had a resting heart rate of 120 the other day... Turns out it's postpartum hyperthyroidism, but the research I've done says you can have hyperthyroidism at other times too. If you have other symptoms (you mentioned fatigue, I also had breathlessness after light exercise, got hot and sweaty really quickly and regularly dizzy) then it could be thyroid related. I also had an ECG to check for heart problems and checks for iron deficiency. Doctor wasn't overly concerned with my heart rate, so don't panic about yours!

MissisBoote · 05/03/2017 14:05

Have you heard of pots? Might be worth looking into especially if you have fatigue.
www.potsuk.org/symptoms

Original poster

PussInCoutts · 05/03/2017 14:06

Shatners YY I am really hoping it is anaemia as it can be so easily fixed compared to if it is something else.

I had anaemia in pregnancy years ago but not at other times, and I try to eat red meat at least twice a week so I'm not sure how I would've become anaemic... Mind you, periods and coffee may play a part.

I'd be delighted if I had anaemia - a simple explanation with a simple solution. But can anaemia seriously cause such high heart rate?

OP posts:

Igottastartthinkingbee · 05/03/2017 14:07

I'm the other way OP, mine is around 60. I'm always worried it's too bloody slow and will just stop!! That's not due to me being exceptionally fit either. I exercise but my heat rate was like that when I was pregnant when I barely exercised at all. I don't have a great diet either, not terrible but not super healthy. I'm 38 with a BMI of 23. So I think it's just an individual thing, you may find it comes down a bit as you get fitter.

Original poster

PussInCoutts · 05/03/2017 14:07

Missis thanks so much for that link, I had never heard of it even though have been googling re fatigue for some time.

OP posts:

IamFriedSpam · 05/03/2017 14:09

My resting heart rate as always been on the high side even though I'm young, fit and healthy. It will also be a bit higher than the true level when you're in the Dr's getting it measured. The obvious health issue that could cause high heart rate would be hyperthyroidism but it may well be that this is just normal for you.

DaffodilSunshine · 05/03/2017 14:09

My resting heart rate always goes up when I'm ill or just about to get ill so you might want to keep an eye on it and see if stays that high or whether it's just temporary

IamFriedSpam · 05/03/2017 14:10

BTW I'm also prone to anaemia pretty much whatever I eat. I just have to top up with iron supplements (floradix is good).

RiverdaleJughead · 05/03/2017 14:10

Is it meant to be high or low? Mines 66 ! That seems v low to me

Rockpebblestone · 05/03/2017 14:16

My DM had some issues with her heart, coupled with high blood pressure, when she had a nasty virus. The Dr advised her to take some exercise. So she started walking up and down her stairs 10 times during the day. Her fitness increased and her heart /blood pressure issues were rectified. (When you are fitter any exercise you takes less work as the muscles are stronger which causes the movement to be more efficient).

Basicbrown · 05/03/2017 14:17

I think suggesting POTS to someone whose heart rate is within the normal range is OTT.

It's far more likely that you were just a bit tense and that your fitness isn't that good. I don't think age is relevant tbh, Octogenarians don't necessarily have a higher heart rate than anyone else. FWIW mine is always higher than average also, it goes down a bit if I exercise regularly. I've had ECG for unrelated reasons and it was normal.

ArgyMargy · 05/03/2017 14:23

That's why there's a range, because guess what we're all different. Who knew?

Willyoujustbequiet · 05/03/2017 14:25

Please get your thyroid checked. Its a common symptom.

madcapcat · 05/03/2017 14:26

Oops basic brown - I read POTS as PTS (put to sleep!)

OP - I remember being wired up to the blood pressure / heart monitor thingy in the hospital outpatients once. Readings were high. Nurse left the room to go and do something, during which time the readings on the machine dropped much much lower, only to start going right back up as I heard their footsteps returning down the corridor! You may well find that your actual resting heart rate (and I've been told that it should really be taken before getting out of bed in morning to be truly resting) is much lower.

Basicbrown · 05/03/2017 14:28

No madcat I reckon checking her iron levels would be a more sensible first step according to most doctors

F1ipFlopFrus · 05/03/2017 14:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Olympiathequeen · 05/03/2017 14:32

I would never take it yourself using your hand it seems to shoot the heart rate up. Certainly does mine. Use a blood pressure machine and take it as soon as you wake up and before getting up. Get someone else to do the machine if possible.

Anaemia is a very strong possibility and would,cause a higher heart rate.

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