I have a question (and my doctor sucks)! [Archive]

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:40 AM

When they record your heartbeat at the lab- does it just record whats happening at that point? I know its a stupid question but I want to know.

Anyways I have been to my doctor twice about my heart rate and he keeps saying nothing is wrong with me but my heart beats like crazy- I even got my blood tested and everything is normal.

Why then when I go biking my heart starts pumping in half an hour when previously I could go for 2 hours or more till I got physically exhausted?!?!?

And he said his office would call me if it was normal but I had to CALL THEM after 4 weeks!!!

I really want to cry! :mad:

biodork

10-13-2005, 11:41 AM

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:43 AM

I was pretty sure there was something you could do that records your heartbeat on a daily basis, but you have to wear some hook-up of some sort. Are they having you do that? Or was it just one test at the dr's?

Thanks bio you the best.

Just a one time test at the docs. They didnt have me carrying the heartbeat thing.

carrot3124

10-13-2005, 11:46 AM

Have you had an EKG done? I used to have heart palpitations because I got so stressed out...scary. I'd switch doctors or see a specialist if you're health insurance doesn't require referrals.

biodork

10-13-2005, 11:48 AM

Thanks bio you the best.

Just a one time test at the docs. They didnt have me carrying the heartbeat thing.
welcome!

And I'd prob see someone else too. If you are worried about it, I think it's a pretty simple machine that you keep strapped on you all day and night for a few days that just records your heartbeat. It shouldn't be that hard for them to do! I remember a friend having it done when I was in gymnastics.

MetFanL

10-13-2005, 11:49 AM

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:50 AM

EKG or ECG? I think so.

Well the thing is I am not stressed really- just the usual. And I actually feel better about a lot of things mentally. Even the contruction near my house has stopped but right now its worst than ever (the heart rate).

I do have another doctor but this dude is more convenient but I guess I should see the other guy.

MetFanL

10-13-2005, 11:55 AM

J-Girl, after you stop exercising, does your heart continue to beat v. quickly? How long does it take for your heart rate to normalize?

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:56 AM

call you dr. back and say it's still bugging you. He should probably do a stress test (where you get on the treadmill and he gradually increases until you have to stop) and, if that doesn't show anything, maybe have your wear a heart monitor for a few days. They had to do this for my brother to diagnose his arrymythia.
Oh thats right I remember you mentioning that. How is he doing now?

I called him back and I am seeing him monday afternoon. But I am just so pissed at their inefficiency or whatever you want to call it.

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:57 AM

J-Girl, after you stop exercising, does your heart continue to beat v. quickly? How long does it take for your heart rate to normalize?

It doesnt beat so much when I do weights but after biking or running- it takes atleast 5 minutes. I remember this Sunday when I got back I just fell on my bed for 15 minutes.

MetFanL

10-13-2005, 11:58 AM

Oh thats right I remember you mentioning that. How is he doing now?

I called him back and I am seeing him monday afternoon. But I am just so pissed at their inefficiency or whatever you want to call it.

He's fine. It was exercise-induced and he grew out of it after using meds for a few years. It's just not something I would mess around with... See another doctor if it freaks you out.

5 minutes is pretty normal... My brother would come home from football practice and, two hours later, you could see his heart beating strongly in his neck. I tried to take his pulse and couldn't count that fast... His heart rate was over 200 at that point. Sometimes it still bugs him, but it usually slows down faster if he takes a cold shower after the gym.

J-girl

10-13-2005, 11:59 AM

He's fine. It was exercise-induced and he grew out of it after using meds for a few years. It's just not something I would mess around with... See another doctor if it freaks you out.

Even though I go only 3 times a week for an hour and a half and biking once a week.
Did he have to stop working out or take it easy?

J-girl

10-13-2005, 12:02 PM

It actually calms down a little after 5 minutes but I still wouldnt call it normal till after that.

Did it happen to him when he was sitting down doing nothing?

MetFanL

10-13-2005, 12:05 PM

No, his was always exercise related. He'd exercise and it would go up. Then he'd stop exercising, but it wouldn't go back down. So, yeah, he would just be sitting there w/ a 200+ heartrate. But, it never just happened on it's own w/o the exercise first.

Like I said, 5 minutes is pretty normal. I know when I run, I take the full 5 minutes to cool down afterward and it takes that long to get my heartrate down to a normal level.

J-girl

10-13-2005, 12:08 PM

Oh okay thanks. I am going to ask the doc then since mine just goes up randomly at times :confused:

bridgetjones

10-13-2005, 04:04 PM

Doctors? I just use them to get referrals to good specialists. I think it only records at that moment. I could ask my mum she has heart problems.

You can get a heart rate monitor that straps around your chest that athletes wear to monitor their heart rates. What is your resting heart rate?

Do you hyperventilate? I find deliberately slowing down my breathing helps it slow faster.

J-girl

10-13-2005, 04:07 PM

What is your resting heart rate?

Do you hyperventilate? I find deliberately slowing down my breathing helps it slow faster.

I dont know what my resting heart rate is- I am going to find out on Monday

I'll try the second thing thanks...

bridgetjones

10-13-2005, 04:12 PM

You can do that right now! No fancy machines needed :)

Get a watch. Put your index and middle finger on your neck or wrist (whichever is better for you).

Count the beats for 10 seconds. Multiply that by 6 to get your beats per minute.

OR

Count the number of beats for 15 seconds. Multiply that by 10 to get your beats per minute.

Should do it a few times to get an average. Plus you can estimate how fast your heart goes once you have another palpitation attack thingie should you have a watch handy. A resting heart rate of 50-70 is normal for a fit young lady like you. :)

Can it be glandular? Hmm...

J-girl

10-13-2005, 04:22 PM

It came up to 78. I did it a few times.

If it was glandular wouldnt he have detected it through blood tests?

bridgetjones

10-13-2005, 04:55 PM

Hmmm... That depends... What was tested in your blood? Hormones? I think the standard blood tests include glucose, cholesteral and possibly some hormones. Check your results. I am trying to think what can be elevating your heart rate. Do you take any meds inc. OTC ones? Check if this is a common side effect.

78 seems abit high IMO. Do you know your blood pressure? You can check it in the Shoppers or buy your own monitor at said shop I think.

dazed

10-13-2005, 05:43 PM

LakeJay

10-13-2005, 05:51 PM

Maybe your doctor will refer you to a cardiologist like mine several years back. I went to the doctor because I was sick. He diagnosed me as having a virus and he also noticed that a few extra heartbeats. He did an EKG there and then had me go to a cardiologist. They had me wear a heart monitor for a couple days and I had to keep a journal to keep track my activities. They also did an echocardiogram. This is similiar to a sonogram and was basically done to make sure that my heart was fine structurally. They didn't find anything abnormal. So they had me do a stress test which I passed with an A+ :p I think the final diagnosis was that the extra heartbeats way in some way related to the virus. Anyways definitely let your doctor know if you still think something isn't right. Good luck...

bridgetjones

10-13-2005, 11:28 PM

78 is fine. 72 is the normal heart rate.

J-girl - An ECG is the same thing as an EKG. Definitely get it tested by the doc and hopefully you get good news on Monday.

Correction on the figuring out heart rate:
1. Count beats per 10 sec. and multiply by 6 (that was fine)
2. Count beats per 15 sec. and multiply by 4

Each gives beats/minute

Opps I meant to say 4. :redface: You da future Dr. Dazed.

72 is average? Mine tends to be around 60. My Ma had one of like 80-90 prior to surgury and is now averaging about 70 something. Her problem was caused by an infection that gradually damaged the muscle.

J-girl

10-17-2005, 04:32 PM

Thanks everyone- just an update I am getting a 24 hours holter monitor next Tuesday. And I cant shower while I have it on *yuck*

spokes

10-17-2005, 04:41 PM

stop thinking about me and i am sure your heart rate will slow right down..... :p

tina1979

10-17-2005, 04:58 PM

I'm glad they are going to that for you, although its gonna suck not being able to shower

bridgetjones

10-17-2005, 05:35 PM

I hope all will be well. Good luck!

dazed

10-17-2005, 05:45 PM

BJ - hehe..thanks! :) 60 is on the low side i think for heart rate. if that's normal for you then it should be all right.

J-girl - it's good it's only a day. and you can always spray yourself with some nice splashes or perfume. and baby powder works wonders ;)

bridgetjones

10-17-2005, 05:54 PM

Well it is now 60 because I have regained my former level of physical fitness. It was about like 70ish when I was not working out regularly for a while. I think my heart rate goes to like est. 120-170 when doing cardio. My bro also has a similar resting heart rate. He bikes regularly to work.

Dazed - :) Do you do house calls?

Jgirl - I use wet wipes when I am in a situation where showering is not an option - camping, med tests, long train rides, airplane rides... There are only certian bits that really get skanky after a day.

J-girl

10-18-2005, 09:24 AM

Jgirl - I use wet wipes when I am in a situation where showering is not an option - camping, med tests, long train rides, airplane rides... There are only certian bits that really get skanky after a day.

good idea!

shinyleaf

10-18-2005, 12:19 PM

Hey J, have you been tested for hyperthyroid?

J-girl

10-18-2005, 12:27 PM

Hey J, have you been tested for hyperthyroid?
yeah I think he told me he thought my thyroid was acting up. I wonder if he tested- he didnt mention anything. I'll call and ask.

shinyleaf

10-18-2005, 12:33 PM

yeah I think he told me he thought my thyroid was acting up. I wonder if he tested- he didnt mention anything. I'll call and ask.

maybe do a google search on hyperthyroidism and see if you have any other symptoms of it? good luck

J-girl

10-18-2005, 12:38 PM

Just called- they tested my thyroid and it was normal *phew*

I guess I just have to wait for the holter meter and hope its not a virus or something.