What Causes An Episode Of Fluctuations In The Pulse Rate?

Posted on Fri, 5 May 2017

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

Fri, 5 May 2017 Answered on

Mon, 22 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : On my pulse oximeter my pulse rate went up and down. started at 70, 65,60,58,55,52,50,48,42,41,39, then 43,48,50,55,62,70. This went on for about an hour and everything settled down and my pulse was normal.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

I appreciate your concern

Heart rate of such a pattern is abnormal. It comes under the definition of bradycardia.

The holter monitor findings would be required to determine if the bradycardia was just incidental or related to a serious cause such as heart block. If no such patterns are repeatedly observed then no intervention would be needed.

An Echocardiogram should also be advised in this regard.

Let me know if you have any queries

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

would HR go up and down for an hour? Is heart block BAD?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

The pulse should ideally be checked physically/ hands on rather than through a pulse oximeter.

A heart block is a rhythm abnormality in which the heart beats slowly as the electrical signals that make the heart contract are partially or totally blocked. It should be ruled out as arrhythmias can evolve quickly and often have ischemic causes.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

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