High Heart Rate ♥

[OnNaturesCourse]

My heart rate has steadily been increasing throughout the past 20w. It started at roughly 70-75 and is now sitting 85-95 on average. My blood pressure is averaging below 115/65 and hasn't changed much throughout pregnancy.

I'm starting to feel that I'm constantly aware of my heart hammering away, and often feel the thudding in my head.

I've read it can be dehydration so I've made a promise to drink 2L a day. I have been bad with this previous and would say I was taking in >1L per day for the past 2 or so months (when I stopped my desk job where I could sip away all day)

Has anyone else experienced this, or know what it could be?

I'm the same, no one knows why and I'm out of breath all the bloody time. I'm being monitored twice a week for something else and they always comment on it but never offer any explanations. It's probably the heat (currently lying in an ice bath)

I considered the heat as it's worse when I'm in bed under the covers but it's only 17° here today and I don't appear to have a temp at all.

Might go suck ice cubes, see if it helps tho

My increased resting hr was how I knew I was pregnant. It didn't drop back down to normal after I ovulated. It is a good 10-15bpm higher than previous. Your resting hr changes throughout your monthly cycle so I'm assuming hormones have a contributing part to play. Coupled by the extra work your heart has to do to pump the extra blood your body is carrying around your body and the increased pressure from squished internal organs pushing into your chest cavity it's no wonder your heart has to beat more and you would feel breathless more easily than you previously would have.

Thanks Emma.

I never noticed my heart rate pre pregnancy but I was super sensitive to heat changes around ovulation etc.

I've sat and drank a icey drink and I am eating a ice pole we speak. The thudding in my head has calmed slightly so fingers crossed it's helping. I wonder if I'm just super sensitive to heat at the moment, like there is no dramatic readings on a thermometer but my body struggles?

I was told I needed to be drinking 3+ litres per day when I was concerned about reduced movements. And now bean has arrived, I'm probably still drinking that, to try and shift the ankle swelling and to enable me to feed him.

You are almost certainly not drinking enough, and one of the signs for me is a thumping headache.
It is normal for your resting pulse to go up though

Thanks! It's crazy but the last thing I want is liquid. Previously I guzzled water due to habit (old medical condition required it) but I've completely gone off it.

I've had atleast 1.5L today and have a target to have another half before bedtime. I'm in a long car journey or I would have upped it even more. Definitely will tomorrow!

keep your fluids up.

you will have to pee constantly, yes, but I think your body is telling you that you've had nowhere near enough water........

It's awful isn't it! I've been signed off work mine is that bad. Hr of 100-110 even when I'm feeling not too bad. When it's really bad (once a day generally) I have to lie down for a couple of hours to get it to slow down and so I can breathe normally. Blood pressure is absolutely fine though.
I have been referred for a 24 hr heart monitor but they're not really expecting to find anything- just one of those pregnancy things apparently. But it's exhausting! Not helped by the fact that baby is really active so sometimes can have baby kicking me like her legs are drumsticks plus my heart going!
They didn't say anything to me about fluids, but I will give that a go!

Uts due to the increased volume of blood. Its normal to increase hr. Mines gone from 60-80 and midwives think thats perfect. But i keep getting palputations of up to 190 for no reason in particular. Have you taken your pulse when you feel the throbbing?

You may be developing anaemia. Speak to your midwife or GP and have your bloods taken.

I had this before pregnancy (on going heart condition). You definitely aren't drinking anywhere near enough but you also need to make sure you eat plenty as well. Heat will affect it, I used to feel as though I'd pass out when I got slightly warm. I would go to your gp though as it shouldn't make you feel rotten, especially while you're pregnant

Yes I had this, BP at midwife appt was 100/60 and pulse is 130. I've been like this since 14 weeks (37 now), as well as breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, fainting. They thought it was anemia, dehydration, and eventually diagnosed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Try wearing compression stockings, increasing salt and liquids-especially electrolytes. I'm now on a beta blocker and it helps.

I was tested for anemia and all came back "OK"

I've felt better today after drinking more, not perfect but definitely better.

The throbbing is when my pulse is 90-100. It's gone over 100 but only after I climbed some stairs when already feeling poorly.

I've had no heart palpitations today, but I've done a little better in terms of drinking / keeping cool. It's 25° today so I've been in canvas shorts and a vest...

I'd go back to your doctor and don't let them fob you off. It could be pregnancy but it could be something else.