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Are Irregular Heartbeats And Chocolate Colour Of Blood A Cause For Concern?
Question: I had blood drawn yesterday and it was very dark, actually the nurse called it "chocolate". My blood pressure was 181/93 and they took it three times. I take Lisinopril 20 mg twice a day and metoprolol 40 mg twice a day. My pulse was 41 twice and then it went to 45. I also took an EKG and she said it look irregular. Should I be concerned.....
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to a cardiac arrhythmia.
Your heart rate are below the normal ranges. This finding could be related to metoprolol intake (betablockers are known to lower the heart rate).
Could you please upload your resting ECG for me to review and give another professional opinion? What about your blood lab tests? Could you upload them?
The "chocolate" color of blood could be related to low oxygenation.
Did you have any symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting?
I would recommend performing some tests besides a careful physical exam:
- cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- chest X ray study
- blood gas analysis to examine the blood oxygenation
- further lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose)
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring would be necessary to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day and make the proper changes to your actual therapy.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to a cardiac arrhythmia.
Your heart rate are below the normal ranges. This finding could be related to metoprolol intake (betablockers are known to lower the heart rate).
Could you please upload your resting ECG for me to review and give another professional opinion? What about your blood lab tests? Could you upload them?
The "chocolate" color of blood could be related to low oxygenation.
Did you have any symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting?
I would recommend performing some tests besides a careful physical exam:
- cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- chest X ray study
- blood gas analysis to examine the blood oxygenation
- further lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose)
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring would be necessary to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day and make the proper changes to your actual therapy.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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