
What Causes An Episode Of Fluctuations In The Pulse Rate?

Question: On my pulse oximeter my pulse rate went up and down. started at 70, 65,60,58,55,52,50,48,42,41,39, then 43,48,50,55,62,70. This went on for about an hour and everything settled down and my pulse was normal.
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
I appreciate your concern
Heart rate of such a pattern is abnormal. It comes under the definition of bradycardia.
The holter monitor findings would be required to determine if the bradycardia was just incidental or related to a serious cause such as heart block. If no such patterns are repeatedly observed then no intervention would be needed.
An Echocardiogram should also be advised in this regard.
Let me know if you have any queries
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
I appreciate your concern
Heart rate of such a pattern is abnormal. It comes under the definition of bradycardia.
The holter monitor findings would be required to determine if the bradycardia was just incidental or related to a serious cause such as heart block. If no such patterns are repeatedly observed then no intervention would be needed.
An Echocardiogram should also be advised in this regard.
Let me know if you have any queries
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


would HR go up and down for an hour? Is heart block BAD?
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The pulse should ideally be checked physically/ hands on rather than through a pulse oximeter.
A heart block is a rhythm abnormality in which the heart beats slowly as the electrical signals that make the heart contract are partially or totally blocked. It should be ruled out as arrhythmias can evolve quickly and often have ischemic causes.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The pulse should ideally be checked physically/ hands on rather than through a pulse oximeter.
A heart block is a rhythm abnormality in which the heart beats slowly as the electrical signals that make the heart contract are partially or totally blocked. It should be ruled out as arrhythmias can evolve quickly and often have ischemic causes.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
