Re: Rapid heartbeat
From: Amit (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 19 May 2000 21:27:27 +0530
Dear Nan,
There is no harm getting EKG and basic cardiac evaluation done, as you seem
to have some high risk factors. Missed beat could be functional
/non-pathological-benign also.
Dr.Amit Sengupta, MD; Ph.D.
This is for educational purpose only
>----- Original Message -----
From: nan <anonymous@obgyn.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list PREGNANCY-BIRTH
<pregnancy-birth@forum.obgyn.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2000 6:56 AM
Subject: Rapid heartbeat
> Prior to becoming pregnant, I would occasionally have the sensation of
> having a rapid or skipping heartbeat that would last just a few seconds
> and then disappear. I have felt this for a long time, even as far back
> as when I was a teenager. My family does have a history of heart
> disease (father-hypertension, coronary artery blockage;
> sister-hypertension, now under control without meds; mom-irregular
> heartbeat) I, however, have never been formerly diagnosed with heart
> problems and have no problems with blood pressure or the like at
> present. (I am 32, sister is 37 but became hypertensive at 31, possibly
> related to the pill and a stressful lifestyle) So now that I am 15 weeks
> pregnant (1st time) I have discovered that the sort of skipping
> heartbeat or "heart in my throat" sensation has occurred a bit more
> frequently. I would say it might have happened once every three months
> but now I think I have felt it at least 4 times in the past 2 1/2
> months. My ob-gyn is aware of it. He told me that the heart is working
> harder when you carry a baby. The problem is that today when I was at
> lunch I felt it for about 30 seconds and it seemed so much more intense
> than I have felt before. It was scary. I was a little afraid I might
> pass out or become faint. My BP runs 110-115 over 65-70 on average and
> my resting pulse is about 70 BPM. I have always been fairly active and
> participated in regular cardio exercise. I have lessened the stress
> load on my normal workout considerable and try not to take my HR above
> 140 BPM when exercising. When I expressed concern before to my OB-GYN
> about this irregular heartbeat he said it was probably fine and not to
> worry. He mentioned having a prior patient that was in the same boat
> that felt something was wrong and she ended up having nothin wrong with
> her. I don't want to be a pain, but I don't know if this is normal and
> today I must say I was a bit scared by the whole experience. Should I
> just relax because this is a normal reaction to pregnancy for the heart
> or is there more for me to be concerned about. I must mention that
> prior to becoming pregnant I had a max HR of 185 BPM and was able to
> bring my HR down rapidly when exercising. Sorry this was so long. I
> appreciate any input from the medical forum.
>
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