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Is It Your Opinion That My Heart May Just Be Reconditioning Itself When Even Light Activity?
Question: Good afternoon,
I am a 33 year old female. Height: 5 feet 3 inches. Weight: 197 pounds. During the spring of 2018, I had to leave my job due to terrible anxiety and depression. For 2 years, the depression continued and I did not leave my bed much at all except to shower, use the restroom, and eat (and a couple of vacations out of town with my husband). By the Spring of 2020, I started to get excited about life again and wanted to enjoy it and keep busy. I noticed, however, that whenever I would go to the doctor, my heart rate would be elevated. I purchased a pulse oximeter and started checking my heart rate at home during different activities. While lying down on the bed, my heart rate is usually in the 80s. While sitting down, it’s in the 90s. When I stand or walk around the house or do housework, it usually stays in the 120s. It does, however, return to the 90s when I sit back down. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t do much housework during those two years of depression. I stayed in the bed for about 95% of each day. I’m trying now, however, to stay more busy around the house, but am nervous about staying in the 120s the whole time that I’m either standing, walking through the house, or doing chores. I saw a cardiologist who prescribed an event monitor for me to wear, as well as an echocardiogram. I will be receiving a call about the results within the next week. The cardiologist thinks that my heart may just be reconditioning itself after 2 years of inactivity, but we will know more once she reviews the echo and event monitor. Is it your opinion that my heart may just be reconditioning itself when even light activity (standing, walking around the house, chores) keeps it in the 120s?
Thank you so much,
Trisha
I am a 33 year old female. Height: 5 feet 3 inches. Weight: 197 pounds. During the spring of 2018, I had to leave my job due to terrible anxiety and depression. For 2 years, the depression continued and I did not leave my bed much at all except to shower, use the restroom, and eat (and a couple of vacations out of town with my husband). By the Spring of 2020, I started to get excited about life again and wanted to enjoy it and keep busy. I noticed, however, that whenever I would go to the doctor, my heart rate would be elevated. I purchased a pulse oximeter and started checking my heart rate at home during different activities. While lying down on the bed, my heart rate is usually in the 80s. While sitting down, it’s in the 90s. When I stand or walk around the house or do housework, it usually stays in the 120s. It does, however, return to the 90s when I sit back down. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t do much housework during those two years of depression. I stayed in the bed for about 95% of each day. I’m trying now, however, to stay more busy around the house, but am nervous about staying in the 120s the whole time that I’m either standing, walking through the house, or doing chores. I saw a cardiologist who prescribed an event monitor for me to wear, as well as an echocardiogram. I will be receiving a call about the results within the next week. The cardiologist thinks that my heart may just be reconditioning itself after 2 years of inactivity, but we will know more once she reviews the echo and event monitor. Is it your opinion that my heart may just be reconditioning itself when even light activity (standing, walking around the house, chores) keeps it in the 120s?
Thank you so much,
Trisha
Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Its wonderful to hear from you, I am Dr. Bhanu and I am a cardiology practitioner. I have gone through your query and I can completely understand how you feel and what you have gone through during the past two years.
But the good thing is, that time has past and you are all back now. Keep up the good spirit.
Yes, your cardiologist is right about reconditioning. During these 2 past years your body has gone into sedentary mode and will slowly recover back once you gradually increase your fitness levels.
So, don't worry and just relax and avoid checking your pulse rate at frequent intervals as its a vicious cycle and you need to break it. Your heart rate is pretty normal while you are at rest.
Let the report come then we will see if anything needs to be taken care off. And my the mean time keep doing some light exercise and daily walk. If you like reading you can read by health related blogs at https://healthmonastery.com/author/bhanup86/
Hope to have been helpful.
Kind Regards
Please refer to the detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Its wonderful to hear from you, I am Dr. Bhanu and I am a cardiology practitioner. I have gone through your query and I can completely understand how you feel and what you have gone through during the past two years.
But the good thing is, that time has past and you are all back now. Keep up the good spirit.
Yes, your cardiologist is right about reconditioning. During these 2 past years your body has gone into sedentary mode and will slowly recover back once you gradually increase your fitness levels.
So, don't worry and just relax and avoid checking your pulse rate at frequent intervals as its a vicious cycle and you need to break it. Your heart rate is pretty normal while you are at rest.
Let the report come then we will see if anything needs to be taken care off. And my the mean time keep doing some light exercise and daily walk. If you like reading you can read by health related blogs at https://healthmonastery.com/author/bhanup86/
Hope to have been helpful.
Kind Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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