Adult DS with Covid Heart Rate of 122

[Velvian]

I'm struggling to find relevant information online and I can't get through to 111 at the moment. Advice needed.

Ds1 (age 24) has Covid currently. He is not too bad generally. However I got the pulse oxymeter out to check his O2 levels, which are fine (95-99), but his resting pulse is 122.

I checked 30 minutes apart and both times 122 bpm. I checked myself and DH too, so it is working OK.

The information I can find online seems conflicting and NHS 111 online don't have rapid pulse as a Covid symptom.

Do I need to take him to A&E or continue to monitor. The reason I wanted to check his oxygen levels is that he had persistent hiccups for about 12 hours, which I read has been linked to pneumonia in males with Covid.

Bump

Tachycardia can be a symptom of myocarditis. I would go to a&e.

Thanks @ithinkitsadhd

I've been monitoring him every 15 minutes since being on hold to 111 and his pulse is slowly going down 105 to 115 just now.

I think it is too soon for myocarditis, he only tested positive yesterday morning.

I wouldn’t worry at all. My heart rate was 125 bpm for the first 4 days of covid. It was exhausting & made me really breathless. But I very commonly get high heart rates with any illness, colds, coughs, sick bugs etc .. my Apple Watch continually beeps at me for the alteration in resting rate!

I doubt they’d do anything in A&E but if you are worried, tell him to go I suppose. How does he feel about it? He’s 22 so he can judge how bad he’s feeling surely? If he feels generally fine, I’d just rest at home personally. A&E is hell on earth at the moment 🙈

Just wanted to say hope your son is ok. Could it be the covid giving him the raised heart rate doesn’t it go up when you’re ill? Mine did but I’m better now and it’s back to normal, hope he’s ok.

Without fail when I have an infection or high temp my heart rate shoots up to around 120 which is double for me.

I’m an ITU nurse, seen plenty of covid.
Tachycardia can be a symptom of many things - exertion, dehydration, stress, cardiac problems too but with covid tachycardia is common.

Make sure your son is taking onboard plenty of fluid. I think a GP tomorrow would be an appropriate port of call, A+E only if your son is feeling really unwell with it or has any symptoms such as chest pain, tightness etc. In A+E (and also in GP) the course of action would be observations (pulse, temp, BP, RR, spo2) comprehensive blood tests, 12 lead ECG to accurately assess rate and rhythm. An echo might be considered if the Bloods or ECG show anything concerning. Treatments are often fluid and medications such as bisoprolol. However, if it is a response to covid and the body working hard he is unlikely to need medications as it may settle post covid.

Rest, plenty of fluids, GP if concerned and A+E if any chest pain/tightness or other deteriorations would be my advice.

Take care

Thanks for the reassuring replies. He is not too bad in himself. I will keep an eye on it and not worry so much.

I agree A&E are so stretched at the moment (and 111), hence asking on here. I knew you'd all know.

He has technically been an adult for a number of years, he still needs a lot of help. We're pursuing an ASD diagnosis at the moment. He is quite vulnerable in many ways.

Thanks so much @Hdkatznahtw125sgh x

i would avoid hospital if at all possible at the moment. my dad was admitted via a and e for covid/heart failure on sunday. he is still waiting for an echocardiogram 5 days later. a and e resembled that film contagion.

Allywill Good grief sorry to hear about you DD.

If he’s hiccuping for no reason and has a fast heart rate he needs to be seen urgent as hiccups can be related to a heart problem.
I know that because a doctor told my aunt she needs hospital if it keeps happening.

Anecdotal here but myself and fellow teachers I work with have had ongoing problems with heart rate since Covid. It does appear to settle for most around 12 weeks post infection. My resting rate is 90 currently but I’ve only just had it. My watch doesn’t like it.

@ithinkitsadhd

Tachycardia can be a symptom of myocarditis. I would go to a&e.

A more significant symptom is chest pain!

Tachycardia is caused by infection. Its a normal bodily response along with a raised temperature.

Provided he doesn't develop chest pain and/or breathlessness, don't worry. Ring 111 for some advice if you like, but he needs paracetamol and rest and fluids.

I had this with covid a couple of weeks ago. It was when I had a very high fever with it, and I don't think I'd drunk enough.

It went down over a few hours.

If it doesnt go down, defo call 11 or seek medical help.

Just to confirm itnot unusual to get tachycardia with covid. I certainly did.
My adult DS gets tachycardia with all infections. He's been to A&E before hut they have reassured him.
Definitely follow @Hdkatznahtw125sgh advice.