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Is A Heartbeat Rate At Rest Of 136 Bpm A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Fri, 12 Dec 2014
Question: My heart rate at rest was 136bpm should I worry?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need to be assessed

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Yes, you need to have this assessed by your doctor.

In the normal heart beat the following occurs: (1) a 'stimulus' or 'signal' starts from a specific point in the heart (called the sinus node)
(2)this signal then travels to the rest of the heart along a specific pathway to stimulate the rest of the heart to contract

Abnormal heart beats can occur for different reasons but the mechanism can be due to: (1)causing increased stimulation at the specific point (sinus node)causing it to send out signals quickly
(2)another point in the heart starts to send out signals abnormally
(3)signals travel along a different pathway
(4)change in the structure of the heart- eg larger than normal or abnormal areas

The above can be triggered by:
(1) infection- causes increased ' signals' from sinus node
(2)thyroid disease
(3)anemia
(4)side effect of medication
(5)due to caffeine
(6)electrolyte disorder eg abnormal potassium levels
(7)congenital heart disease
(8)alcohol or smoking
(9)previous heart attacks
(10)anxiety
(11)cause not known-idiopathic

You need to consider visiting your doctor as soon as possible for an ECG. This is a test that takes a look at the rate and rhythm of the heart.

It would be able to pick up the specific heart rhythm abnormality, there are different types and treatment can be initiated.
Depending on what is seen, medication may be needed.
In some case, the only treatment may be to monitor and avoid the triggers.

The heart should not be going at this pace because it would then be working too hard.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is A Heartbeat Rate At Rest Of 136 Bpm A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: need to be assessed Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Yes, you need to have this assessed by your doctor. In the normal heart beat the following occurs: (1) a 'stimulus' or 'signal' starts from a specific point in the heart (called the sinus node) (2)this signal then travels to the rest of the heart along a specific pathway to stimulate the rest of the heart to contract Abnormal heart beats can occur for different reasons but the mechanism can be due to: (1)causing increased stimulation at the specific point (sinus node)causing it to send out signals quickly (2)another point in the heart starts to send out signals abnormally (3)signals travel along a different pathway (4)change in the structure of the heart- eg larger than normal or abnormal areas The above can be triggered by: (1) infection- causes increased ' signals' from sinus node (2)thyroid disease (3)anemia (4)side effect of medication (5)due to caffeine (6)electrolyte disorder eg abnormal potassium levels (7)congenital heart disease (8)alcohol or smoking (9)previous heart attacks (10)anxiety (11)cause not known-idiopathic You need to consider visiting your doctor as soon as possible for an ECG. This is a test that takes a look at the rate and rhythm of the heart. It would be able to pick up the specific heart rhythm abnormality, there are different types and treatment can be initiated. Depending on what is seen, medication may be needed. In some case, the only treatment may be to monitor and avoid the triggers. The heart should not be going at this pace because it would then be working too hard. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions