Medical Question

[BINOWGAYLATER]

I AM NOT a doctor - nor do i play one on TV --
but i would think , from my limited knowledge that when it was 90 - you were stressed and that's why it was high - at that time.
the 67 is much more normal (or at least GOOD -- if not exceptional) far better than the 90 !
if it goes to 160 - get to an ER -!!

 

[thatcrap]

Well this post is probably better off in the Health and Well-Being forum, but alas. 60-100 is considered a normal heart rate, so none of the pulse rates you mentioned are abnormal.

Do you take any meds? Have you been exercising more? Really, the heart rates you mentioned are nothing to worry about. It is common for well-conditioned athletes to walk around with a pulse in the 40s. As long as you aren't symptomatic (faint, dizziness) there is no need to worry.

 

[thatcrap]

HUGE lifestyle change! Probably the single largest lifestyle change for health improvement along with diet. Absolutely yes! How much did your blood pressure drop?

Congratulations on quitting smoking.

 

[thatcrap]

That's still a nice drop in the systolic BP. Keep up the good work.

 

[seven_sins]

60 to 90 is considered the normal range. I would expect it to be on the low end when resting and on the upper end after exercising.

 

[KaraBulut]

All of the numbers that you've cited are within normal range. And they are an improvement.

Typically, slow heart rate (aka bradycardia) is defined as anything under 60 beats per minute.

It's not uncommon for athletes to have resting heart rates as low as 40. So, when we evaluate heart rate, we also look at other factors- like history, blood pressure (sitting and standing) and the overall health of the patient.

 

[Georgiadude]

Well within "normal" range. There are so many things that affect your heart rate. Stress, activity, medications, caffeine. I could go on and on. Some people get "white coat syndrome" Thats where you get nervous about being at the doctors office. Your blood pressure and pulse go up just because your there. It returns back to normal shortly after you leave. You sound like you get stressed over things kinda easy. More than likely that is whats happening. Congrats on not smoking. Best thing you will ever do for yourself. Maybe take a class on dealing with stress or reward yourself with a massage. Theres nothing wrong with your pulse rate. The more you worry about it, the higher it will go.

Best regards.

 

[jackoroe]

Congrats on kicking the smoking habit. It will make a huge difference in your overall health, including your resting heart rate. Your heart rate is within what is considered generally acceptable limits.

Stop worrying! Enjoy life!

 

[onetwothreefour]

60-100 is considered a normal resting pulse (whatever your default state of rest is, like sitting or lying down)

Your pulse changes quite a lot just going from sitting to standing (just use a pulse oximeter to check)

Someone said here that if your pulse were 160 go to an ER---some people who are de conditioned can have a pulse of 160 just from walking or standing; it's not a medical emergency--although it's definitely something to mention to a doctor; people who have panic attacks can easily have their pulse go to 170

If you exercise very hard you could even get your heart rate close to its maximum, around 200 or so (depends on the person)

 

[spencer]

my pulse has never been in the 60s

 

[KaraBulut]

Has anything else changed- are you taking a new medication, perhaps?

 

[KaraBulut]

The absolute only thing that has changed is the fact that I've quit smoking.

I'm baffled by it. How can a man, whose resting pulse rate was in the 80s for decades, suddenly, inexplicably have it drop into the 60s?

You can ask to have an EKG done to check the overall rhythm. Most of the things that would be of concern would also cause an irregular heart beat. A resting heart rate in the 80s would actually concern me more than a heart rate in the 60s, though- as long as it is regular and there's no other symptoms.

 

[andysayshi]

The absolute only thing that has changed is the fact that I've quit smoking.

I'm baffled by it. How can a man, whose resting pulse rate was in the 80s for decades, suddenly, inexplicably have it drop into the 60s?

Simple! One of the reasons why nicotine is so addictive is it's effect on the heart. Within seconds of smoking a cigarette, nicotine increases your blood pressure, elevates your heart rate, and narrows your arteries.

After just 24 hours without nicotine, your heart rate naturally starts to reduce. (Your lungs are already beginning to repair themselves within 24 hours of smoking-respite, as well!) Rather then being concerned, your heart-rate reduction is something to celebrate - it is clinical proof that your body is returning to normal function.