Resting Pulse Varies Throughout The Day And Have Intermittent Pain Inside Arm.ECG Was Normal. Suggest?

Posted on Mon, 6 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 May 2013 Answered on

Tue, 28 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My resting pulse varies throughout the day between 55 and 80. I also have intermittent pain inside my left arm.

My GP did a 2 minute ECG and it was normal.

Should I be worried about my pulse?

I am 37 years old and male.

Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (-4 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query. A normal adult's pulse can be anywhere from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Anything over 100 is technically defined as a tachycardia.
Your resting pulse rate is absolutely normal. However if it exceeds 100 beats per minute or if there is worsening of the left arm pain or there is associated chest pain then the following causes need to be ruled out. These include:

1)     Anxiety and stress
2)     Anemia
3)     Hyperthyroidism
4)     Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
5)     Heart disorders

Then I would suggest you to get it examined from a physician and get your Hb levels, thyroid function tests and an EKG and stress ECHO done.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

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