High Heart Rate - 226 BPM ???

[IanDarkpeak]

Attachment 7885
Here's a regular condition I've experienced for as long as I've been using a HRM (over 4 years). See image. It happens at any time of day when not being warmed up at all. The attached chart shows my HR when jogging with my wife the other day. Very easy pace, barely out of breath but I feel knackered and don't want to jog any faster. THEN and normally after ten minutes my HR instantly drops off and I feel so much better. This particular run took 15 minutes to drop off. For those that know Great Wood near Keswick, the drop-off to 120 in HR happened as we ran across the old car park before we started jogging up the steep top path towards the mast. Although it's steepish for 300m or so notice the running feels very easy with HR at a level to be expected. My BP is healthy and cholesterol is low. Anybody any ideas?

As Raasay says get to the doctor and get him to check you out...

AF is a possibility, you have it to start with hence weakness then it could be dropping backing to normal rhythm, I'm no doctor though just been through it so seek professional advice, AF is common in runners from 40 onwards

[keswicksimon]

Have you checked your HR manually at the time just to check its not an artifact?
If that really is your HR then the two main causes of such a high rate out of the blue are; paroxysmal AF and SVT, though I would expect you to, possibly, experience some breathlessness with these, and maybe some chest discomfort.
If you are worried you might want to see your GP who might suggest a 24hr ECG and/or a treadmill test whilst hooked up to an ECG.

Hi Raasay. Yes I do stop and check my carotid pulse. It's racing.
What do you mean my artifact? I use a Garmin Forerunner (with GPS). So...
I think I'll pop to my GP.

[Raasay]

Hi,
Sorry by artefact I just meant the HRM not picking up correctly, but it sounds like is. Probably best to get it checked out for peace of mind.
Hope you get it sorted.

[Chris K]

Interesting to see the other thread on AF and how good it is to share information. I think my first ablation was done in 2003, that highlighted another 'short circuit' on the back of the heart. With the development of new techniques this was done in 2005 after several requirements of cardioversion. After about three years, I needed CV on three occasions and another ablation (with even better techniques) in 2009. We thought that that was 'it' and had been clear of any AF until last year, and in January went in, we thought, to re-do the first ablation as the trace indicated the 'short circuit' on the right side and the scar tissue may have repaired itself. It hadn't! A few complications later and this ablation should now take place at the beginning of March.
I have gone back to my old Polar HRM (thank you Polar for bringing this old piece of kit back to life) for ease of daily use and notice how easy it is to jump into 220's that my 'smarter' HRM doesn't. Thank goodness we're mechanically fit enough to cope with dodgy electrics!!

[Chris K]

Ablation done on 2nd March - such a relief after five weeks of a 'resting pulse' of around 85 - now back to mid 40's and I feel the right sort of tiredness!

[Alexandra]

Ablation done on 2nd March - such a relief after five weeks of a 'resting pulse' of around 85 - now back to mid 40's and I feel the right sort of tiredness!

I'm so pleased to read this. Is the blood thinner they put you on Warfarin, and how long will you have to continue it?

[Chris K]

Thanks Alexandra, Yes, Warfarin for about four weeks - it is easy to reverse unlike the new specific thinners that can't, I also have betablockers for the same period to sort of give the mechanics a chance to rest up after working so long out of synch. I don't get on with them at all, but I'm happy to follow the advice for the long term benefit.

[DazTheSlug]

Chris - great to hear that your ablation went smoothly, hope you continue to make good progress...

I've got my cardioversion in 3 days I've not been told to come off the beta-blockers in advance which strikes me as a bit odd as I'd've thought they'd want the heart to be as "natural" as possible for the procedure but what do I know?

[Alexandra]

Thanks Alexandra, Yes, Warfarin for about four weeks - it is easy to reverse unlike the new specific thinners that can't, I also have betablockers for the same period to sort of give the mechanics a chance to rest up after working so long out of synch. I don't get on with them at all, but I'm happy to follow the advice for the long term benefit.

Thanks for the info. I'm still doing OK on daily Flecainide, but it's always in my mind that in the end that may not suffice. I hate the idea of Warfarin, and when I was taking beta blockers as a pill in the pocket they had a worse effect on me than the AF. For about 3 days after taking a very small dose I could hardly walk upstairs without getting out of breath. And yet some people manage to run races on them! Anyway, congratulations on your successful procedure.

[Alexandra]

Chris - great to hear that your ablation went smoothly, hope you continue to make good progress...

I've got my cardioversion in 3 days I've not been told to come off the beta-blockers in advance which strikes me as a bit odd as I'd've thought they'd want the heart to be as "natural" as possible for the procedure but what do I know?

All the best for your op. Maybe they don't want your heart jumping around all over the place??? I don't know either.