Pulse rate

[cynthiaG]

just out of curiosity...what is a good pulse rate for HCM? I was told by a cardiologist of mine a few years back that he used to say he likes to keep it slow like a runner's pulse rate--around 50 bpm

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Pulse rate

Each person is different, however normally we see people trying to keep their rates around 60-70 - you should work with your HCM specialist to see what is best for you.

Be well,
Lisa

[Sarah]

Re: Pulse rate

i would think that it would be hard to keep an hcm heart safely at 50. we tend to run fast and the amount of medication needed to keep you that low could keep your bp too low, too.

but like lisa said, everyone is different. average heart rates are going to vary a lot. i've very rarely had a heart rate that low and when i have, it has been noticable and kind of odd feeling.

S

[connie]

Re: Pulse rate

Hi All,

I have question/response.....Does a low pulse rate/blood pressure make you feel dizzy headed. Since I started losing weight and walking regular, both have dropped a great deal. I have had to cut my Toporal to 50 mg (with my doctors advise) a day, and I stiil have periods where Im so dizzy I cant function. For instance, this morning I was bad dizzy and I checked my blood pressure/pulse, and it was 102/60 pulse 48. But some time my pressure is fine, but my pulse will be low. I have checked it and it be as low as 42. Right now its 52 and I feel dizzy. I have a reg. cardiologist check up tomorrow. I am gonna try to address this with him.

Connie

[sueb]

Re: Pulse rate

Connie---Let us know what he says. I'm the heart patient but my husband has had lots of dizziness and now is complaining of a very slow pulse. We share well but I was hoping I could keep the heart problems for myself!

Sue

[Linda]

Re: Pulse rate

Connie, Ask your cardiologist tomorrow as you have planned. If you have lost a significant amt of wt, you may need to lower your dose. Sue, if your husband's pulse is slower than 60 and having dizziness when it is that slow, he needs to call his doctor just to be sure he doesn't have a different kind of heart problem. Keep us posted, good luck to all. Linda

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Pulse rate

My cardiologist wants to keep my pulse rate in the sixties, and mentioned that he would not be happy to see my rate drop into the forties. I guess that would be considered over medicated.
Burt

[Reenie]

Re: Pulse rate

I think, not sure, that my husband's ICD is set to pace when the heart rate falls below 52. I'll have to look that one up.

Reenie

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Pulse rate

Well I just got back from my EP appointment. It seems that I had 3 very short runs of A-Fib ( less than a minute each) but at a high rate of 150 bpm. I was not aware of any of them so I think I must have been sleeping at the time. These were after I had been back home from NEMC for cardioversion. I am not too too concerned but was told that it did occur while I was on a hefty dose of Amiodorone and now off it for 1 month. As it takes 3-4 months to come out of the system they said A-Fib could happen again. Oh boy does it ever stop? Then it was found that the right ventricle lead has been increasing in the amout of voltage required, it has actually trippled and I am to ask Dr. Maron on the 24th what their explanation for this is. Also as my pacer is set at 50 she said it is much more beneficial for an HCM heart with severe stiffness to beat at a lower rate. This lower rate allows the stiffened ventricle more time to fill thereby" getting the bigger bang for the buck so to speak" regarding circulation and perfusion . So any thoughts? Comments? Has anyone had this problem with their pacer /defib. lead ? Could it be a bad sign for my right ventricle? This part has me a little nervous as I have always been a little concerned with a stiff ,sick heart being overwhelmed post myectomy. They did say that initially the voltage requirement could rise a bit , but not keep going up or triple. Let me know please. Thanks, Pam

[Laura]

Re: Pulse rate

Pam,
If your defib is putting out too much juice you need to see someone soon.
I would suggest by my own experience if your lead wire is placed left upper chest , try as much as you can to not move that arm until you see Dr Maron. I am suprised your EP Dr did not do something right then.
I had this happen to me and my pacer wire not the defib wire was what they call fractured. SOOOO Everytime i moved my left arm the pacer thought i needed help and would then put me in V-Fib. It is still fractured but they turned the pacer part of my AICD off. The defib part of it still functions. 42,000 Dollar machine that only half works the most need half for me, but am now feeling i need to be paced up from time to time.
Hope this helps
Laura

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Pulse rate

Thank you Laura, I have put a call into Dr. Maron and am waiting for him to call back. One of the concerns my EP did voice is that if some damage had occured due to the myectomy . So it will tell more if she is able to find out if the voltage demand went up after the surgery. And they had turned my pacer off in Oct. . So that is one good thing. Boy these things can make us a bit crazy trying to figure it all out can't they? But thanks for your help and advise .We'll see what happens next. Take Care . Pam . P.S. , It is upper left chest where it is placed , I will heed your advise regarding movement.

[connie]

Re: Pulse rate

Hi all.......

Went to see the local Cardio. and he was as he always is. We had a head patting session. His deal was that this was the kind of thing to be expected when I decided to go off and have the ABLATION. It has screwed up my electrical system. He does not listen to what you say to him. Nor has he read any of my medical records from the ABLATION that Dr. Neilsen of MUSC sent him. This is the cat that still refers to HOCM as IHSS. So, he said I would likely have to have a pace maker,,,,,blah blah blah blah..............I told him I had an apt with Dr. Neilsen @ MUSC march 5th and I would see what he had to say after he does all his tests.
Im gonna find another local cardio when I get back. Im sick of this one. Hey!!! although he does raise my B/P and pulse when he [email protected]#$ me off!!

I will let you know after S.C. trip.

Connie

[Laura]

Re: Pulse rate

Good Luck to both of you.

Laura