What Causes Sudden Fluctuations In Heart Rate?

Posted on Mon, 18 Sep 2017

Question: My resting heart rate keeps jumping up to 148-178. It stays that way for about 3-4 hours and then goes back to 70-80. My blood pressure is normal. What do I do?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that these fluctuations in your heart values could be related to different possible causes: an electrolyte imbalance, chronic anemia, thyroid dysfunction or anxiety.

A cardiac arrhythmia can not be excluded either.

Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a cardiac ultrasound and a resting ECG to examine your heart function and structure
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter) to monitor your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged time and investigate for possible cardiac arrhythmia
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar