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Original poster

To be concerned about heart rate…

64 replies

Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 17:03

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?

OP posts:
BatFaceOwl · 13/05/2023 18:55

Nobody should be attempting to reassure you regarding your heart - it's doesn't work and makes you worse

You need to see the GP again regarding your health anxiety

Paperbagsaremine · 13/05/2023 18:59

OP you said you had various treatments.

How much exercise are you managing to fit in right now? Given you mention both pregnancy and quitting smoking, I did wonder whether you haven't been able to do a lot recently.

But if that's the case, that's absolutely something to try, as there's very good evidence that it helps you manage mood (and promote good heart health). Just starting with a brisk ("quick march") walk for half an hour every day, and working up to doing couch to 5k, is likely to make an enormous difference.

Wolfiefan · 13/05/2023 19:00

You need to go back to whoever is treating you for health anxiety. Different meds or therapy etc. Posts like this will only fuel the anxiety. Plus the internet isn’t the place to be diagnosed. Contact your GP on Monday. Focus on the anxiety.

Auldspinster · 13/05/2023 19:14

As someone with health anxiety I say stop checking and wearing the watch.

I'm diabetic and hypertensive and purposely don't self monitor because it just makes the health anxiety worse. Same with seeking reassurance, it just feeds the anxiety and makes you less able to cope.

Mine was triggered by losing my father to a brain haemorrhage. Has there been any family cardiovascular history?

Panic attacks tend to happen in sleep where I wake up with hr that can be over 150bpm and I have got to the stage where I think this is super scary and I feel like I'm dying but I do have panic disorder so give myself a few minutes to try and control my breathing which usually rights things. In the past I'd be on the phone to 111 or on a couple of occasions 999. 9/10 times this strategy works.

Health anxiety is awful, you do have my sympathies.

Original poster
Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 19:34

Atishoos · 13/05/2023 18:51

Try a pulse oximeter instead of relying on your watch. It is the little thing they put on your index finger when in hospital to keep an eye on oxygen levels and heart rate. It is generally accurate, and take the FKN (sorry for shouting) Apple watch off right now as it will drive you crazy.

I have atrial fibrillation and my heart rate can go anything between 38 to 175 over a few hours. I am medicated with bisoprolol and just get on with it. If I feel I'm out of rhythm I'll stick on the pulse ox for a while to get a feel for what's going on. Last week I was out walking and HR went up to 178, then down to 56 and jumped all over the place for about an hour or so. I was advised that as long as I could walk and talk, wasn't dizzy, didn't have chest pain and wasn't breathless that I would be ok, but if the fast rate continued for more than three hours to get to A+E for IV drugs and/or a cardioversion - the electric shock paddles. So far so good though.

It seems that you are very anxious and that is not helping. I don't know why they took you off the beta blockers as they do help your situation on a need to take basis. A 24 hour or longer holter monitor could help identify your problem as it might pick up a tricky rhythm or tachycardia (fast rate), then they can do more investigations. But it looks like the tests you have had so far are negative. They are not worried and you shouldn't be either, but maybe ask for the holter monitor anyway.

My issue was found accidentally when I was in hospital for something else. I never knew!

I do hope you are ok and glad they found the issue for you. I have chest pain every day which is the reason I went to a&e to begin with and why I started worrying about the heart specifically, as I had chest pain and pain in the upper back/down the arm etc. naturally went to get checked out both times it’s been at it’s strongest and results came back all normal and sent on my ways

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 19:35

BatFaceOwl · 13/05/2023 18:55

Nobody should be attempting to reassure you regarding your heart - it's doesn't work and makes you worse

You need to see the GP again regarding your health anxiety

I just feel like I’m not getting anywhere with them. I was promised some help from the GP who said the mental health practitioner within the practice would call me to arrange some therapy appointments up until I got my CBT. I never received a call back and it’s been 3 weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 19:38

Paperbagsaremine · 13/05/2023 18:59

OP you said you had various treatments.

How much exercise are you managing to fit in right now? Given you mention both pregnancy and quitting smoking, I did wonder whether you haven't been able to do a lot recently.

But if that's the case, that's absolutely something to try, as there's very good evidence that it helps you manage mood (and promote good heart health). Just starting with a brisk ("quick march") walk for half an hour every day, and working up to doing couch to 5k, is likely to make an enormous difference.

I don’t go out my way to exercise, but I don’t drive so I do walk everywhere, and try to take very regular trips to the park. I have an 8 month old baby that cries a lot when put down (teething in part of it) and have no family support with him at all, and DP works long hours. I also have an older son (6 YO) , and have just recently started a business and had a recent high in sales, so I’ve been really busy. DP used to be a personal trainer and said he can help me with some of it - as I also want to lose some weight anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 19:39

Auldspinster · 13/05/2023 19:14

As someone with health anxiety I say stop checking and wearing the watch.

I'm diabetic and hypertensive and purposely don't self monitor because it just makes the health anxiety worse. Same with seeking reassurance, it just feeds the anxiety and makes you less able to cope.

Mine was triggered by losing my father to a brain haemorrhage. Has there been any family cardiovascular history?

Panic attacks tend to happen in sleep where I wake up with hr that can be over 150bpm and I have got to the stage where I think this is super scary and I feel like I'm dying but I do have panic disorder so give myself a few minutes to try and control my breathing which usually rights things. In the past I'd be on the phone to 111 or on a couple of occasions 999. 9/10 times this strategy works.

Health anxiety is awful, you do have my sympathies.

I do agree I need to put the watch down. It all started due to sudden chest pain starting, which also radiated to my back and arm, so I thought I was having a heart attack, and it hasn’t gone away ever since. It has worsened since DS2 was born (I had high risk pregnancy complications and later developed sepsis in labour and was extremely unwell), I think being very unwell in hospital on a IV drip May have made the health anxiety worse.

OP posts:
BSB30 · 13/05/2023 19:42

These smart watches do not give accurate readings at all. Neither can they take your blood pressure.

Have you got an Oximeter or BP machine?

Anoooshka · 13/05/2023 19:47

Things that really helped me with anxiety and a racing heart:

  1. The book 'Hope and Help for Your Nerves' by Dr Claire Weekes - get the book and the audiobook. I can't recommend this book enough.
  2. A short course of benzodiazepines (Xanax). I found that I could calm myself down by knowing that I could take a tablet if I needed to, and most of the time I didn't actually take one at all.
  3. Meditation. This was the most difficult. Get an audiobook or try an in-person class. You really need guidance to be able to do it really well.

You can also try carotid sinus massage or plunge your face into a bowl of ice-cold water.

I started having panic attacks when I finished breastfeeding my DS. I think the change in hormones was partly to blame. Good luck!

Original poster
Mumof2boysxz · 13/05/2023 19:50

Anoooshka · 13/05/2023 19:47

Things that really helped me with anxiety and a racing heart:

  1. The book 'Hope and Help for Your Nerves' by Dr Claire Weekes - get the book and the audiobook. I can't recommend this book enough.
  2. A short course of benzodiazepines (Xanax). I found that I could calm myself down by knowing that I could take a tablet if I needed to, and most of the time I didn't actually take one at all.
  3. Meditation. This was the most difficult. Get an audiobook or try an in-person class. You really need guidance to be able to do it really well.

You can also try carotid sinus massage or plunge your face into a bowl of ice-cold water.

I started having panic attacks when I finished breastfeeding my DS. I think the change in hormones was partly to blame. Good luck!

Thank you so much for some helpful tips and advice! It’s not as easy as some people are obviously making it out to be. Hope all is well with you now.

OP posts:
BSB30 · 13/05/2023 19:51

OP, just want to say I know exactly how you feel. I have cardiophobia and it can be debilitating. The fear is so real that you want constant reassurance to ease the anxious feelings.

justasking111 · 13/05/2023 19:53

Another who doesn't know why the GP took you off the beta blockers. After seeing a heart consultant for similar had a halter for a week and an echocardiogram. He put me on bisoprolol. Said I had an ectopic heartbeat but it wasn't dangerous, he did the echocardiogram himself talking me through it.

I get it after eating, drinking and have come to the conclusion it's a jumpy vagus nerve. Since I went on the beta blockers I've been mostly fine. Before then it was frightening.

Fluffyunicorn1 · 13/05/2023 20:50

What type of watch is it? The cheaper brands aren’t accurate. I had a Radley one bought for me for Xmas and when I checked the app it said my heart rate had spiked at 180bpm in my sleep. I thought that can’t be right so the next night I left it on my shelf. Checked the app the following morning and it turns out my shelf also has a heartbeat 🤔.

anyway onto the health anxiety. I also have it and quite bad. I’m here if you need a chat or a vent. Couple of things I’ve found that help, 1. Keep busy. 2. Establish a routine and don’t break it. Do it everyday even if you don’t want to make yourself. 3. Do everything in your power to stop checking - this one is huge for me. I try to re-focus or do something, even something small like go make a cup of tea or grab a glass of water absolutely anything that means I can’t check at that moment.

I always fine that my “symptoms” aren’t there when I’m not thinking about it

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