To be concerned about heart rate…

[Mumof2boysxz]

Hi, I’ve posted on here previously about experiencing chest pains and other symptoms. I have been to a&e twice this year, who said my blood tests all came back as normal, as did the ECGs. I also saw my GP who put the pains down to anxiety.

I have always had a thing about my heart and worrying if there’s something wrong with it.

A few days ago, my partner got a smart watch as a leaving present from his work mates, as he has been promoted and moving on from the area he works.

I have borrowed his watch multiple times to check my heart rate. Yesterday, my RHR was recorded at 142 BPM (way too high). It then went down to 57 BPM after 10 minutes.

I checked it again for the first time today, and it was at 126 BPM (resting again). It then went down to 90, and now back to 102. I am beside myself.

My oxygen levels and blood pressure are showing as normal.

I am however, quite unwell with what I assume is a common cold - runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and feel hot to touch though no temp. I’m not sure if this can make your RHR go up or not.

Any advice before I go into full blown panic attack that I’m about to die any second?

Hello lovely
I completely understand as someone who suffers with health anxiety and around the heart. My resting heart rate is actually around 80 due to my anxiety haha.
now the key thing to remember is that because of your anxiety it’s going to be going naturally higher. The danger zone is more 160+ xxx

Hello. I think I’m worried because I wasn’t doing any movement or exercise, I was just sat on my bed when I took the recordings. It’s still over 100 now but I think that’s because I’m in panic mode about what it is. I’m not sure if it could be due to anxiety or if it’s because of my viral infection. Xxx

100 as a heart rate is not dangerous. Have you phoned the non emergency health number for a divorce?

Advice not a divorce

You are unwell, fighting a virus so your RHR ( technically should be recorded in the morning before getting out of bed ) will be higher than normal.
Any activity, even getting up from sitting will elevate it.
I wouldn't be concerned unless you start feeling worse or and have a rise in temperature, make sure you rest and keep drinking fluids.

RHR between 60 - 100 is normal range btw.

My RHR was 142 yesterday and is currently just now at 116.

This made me LOL! I don’t think I can divorce the NHS! 😂I don’t know if it would be dramatic to ask for a call back from 111 to see what they say.

Was that upon waking without moving out of bed?

It was during late afternoon, I was just sat on my bed, same as now.

Stop borrowing the watch.
Get help for anxiety.

I already have - therapy, anti depressants and beta blockers, nothing has worked so far.

When I had Covid my RHR was really high. Have you tested?

I haven’t tested for it no. It feels like a cold same as any other I’ve had in my life. My DP and my youngest son are both well. My oldest boy is coughing a lot, but has already been to the GP and they confirmed chest infection and give him antibiotics so not COVID. I just assumed it was a cold.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, but if it will make you feel better to call 111 then do so.
You can ask your GP yo take your HR along with BP so you can learn your standard everytime you visit or have a review of medications, some people run a bit higher and some will be lower, it's more about what is normal for your body.
Good luck.

Thank you. I’ve had 2 ECGs this year at a&e following episodes of extreme chest pains and they told me they were all normal, as was my blood tests. I’m thinking to call the GP on Monday morning, and make another appointment. X

What is your heart rate when you take it manually? Remember infection can raise your heart rate.

Oh my lovely, I have been there.

It does sound very much like it’s just anxiety. When you suffer from
anxiety and you measure your heart rate it can go up a lot just because your thinking about it even though you feel calm.

I used to sit there and count my pulse all through out the day - it was high because I worried about it.

I just checked my resting heart rate on my watch because I’m typing this and it’s 70bpm, however my current is 89 even though I’m only sitting here typing. It’s because I’m thinking about my heart rate.

If you needed help you’d know about it, tests have been done to rule out any medical problems with your heart. Researching the topic will only aid you anxiety, you may get temporary relief from the research but Al that is doing os teaching your brain you need to seek reassurance for your worries and you will go round in a cycle.

Speak to your GP about some CBT. Google mindfulness, start practising it and try to meditate (mediation is extremely hard at first, be persistent and consistent).

You’re fine, I’ve been there. I really hope your anxiety eases soon xxx

You need to ask your GP for a 24 or 48 hour ECG recording and hope to capture your hr doting this prolonged recording.

doing not doting!

During ha ha bloody auto type

You need to calm down and get better from the viral infection. Bloods and ECG normal should be enough to reassure you

I am going to enquire about it or see if they are concerned. I had a resting ECG booked for a few days ago but I couldn’t go. My mum has been for the same one at the same place and said it’s just the same as the a&e one so it’s not on for very long - probably not long enough to detect the changes. Zx

Taking pulse with my fingers? I’m not sure, I wouldn’t even know how to do it if I’m being honest (silly me) I thought it could be due to the viral infection I have

Thank you for this message - I have terrible anxiety and it’s always surrounding my heart. I never really worry about other health issues, I shrug them off when I’m unwell, but I’m fixated on a possible heart attack for some reason. I think this is the reason I keep checking my heart rate to begin with, to convince myself there’s nothing wrong with it, and now it’s been too high I’ve panicked myself even further so not helped really xx