Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Fluctuating Heart Rate When Diagnosed With Pneumonia?
Question: i have had pulse rate of 132 off and on for last two weeks.
had a similar event in florida in February for one day. seemed to be related to 3 weeks of red tide exposure on gulf coast beaches.
ER dr xray showed pneumonia 3 days ago. taking amoxicillin 2 x 500 mg 3 times daily and diltiazem 120 mg once daily and apixaban 5 mg 1 tablet 2 x day.
I am overweight and somewhat sedentary. just retired from a stressful utility supervisor role.
i have muscle and joint pain but not chest pain, no dizziness, no shortness or breath etc.
3 days ago in ER with two doses of diltiazem pulse rate did go to 69. been up and down since.
is this a symptom of waiting for pneumonia to be resolved? i am to attend a cardiac clinic in 3 days for further tests. recent stress test was quite good, recent blood work numbers fine per family GP.
had a similar event in florida in February for one day. seemed to be related to 3 weeks of red tide exposure on gulf coast beaches.
ER dr xray showed pneumonia 3 days ago. taking amoxicillin 2 x 500 mg 3 times daily and diltiazem 120 mg once daily and apixaban 5 mg 1 tablet 2 x day.
I am overweight and somewhat sedentary. just retired from a stressful utility supervisor role.
i have muscle and joint pain but not chest pain, no dizziness, no shortness or breath etc.
3 days ago in ER with two doses of diltiazem pulse rate did go to 69. been up and down since.
is this a symptom of waiting for pneumonia to be resolved? i am to attend a cardiac clinic in 3 days for further tests. recent stress test was quite good, recent blood work numbers fine per family GP.
Brief Answer:
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
What you are experiencing is associated with pneumonia and with the resolution of pneumonia your HR and rhythm will turn to norm.
As long as you are taking Amoxicillin and apixaban you shouldn't worry no major complications will happen to you (especially stroke and thrombosis).
However I would recommend to take an extra dose of Diltiazem when the HR is higher than 110 bpm. This will help to stabilise it.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
What you are experiencing is associated with pneumonia and with the resolution of pneumonia your HR and rhythm will turn to norm.
As long as you are taking Amoxicillin and apixaban you shouldn't worry no major complications will happen to you (especially stroke and thrombosis).
However I would recommend to take an extra dose of Diltiazem when the HR is higher than 110 bpm. This will help to stabilise it.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i took a second diltiazem at 12:30 pm.
first capsule was at 06:30 am.
still not appreciable drop in pulse rate.
can i take a third at say 08:00 pm?
XXXX
first capsule was at 06:30 am.
still not appreciable drop in pulse rate.
can i take a third at say 08:00 pm?
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The usual maintaining dose for atrial flutter is between 180-320 mg in three divided dose. This is why you may take a third tablets after 8 hours (around 08:30 p.m) from the last dose in order to control the HR.
As I said above you may take a third Diltiazem around 08:30 p.m.
You are mostly welcome to contact me again.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: Ifyou are satisfied with my answer please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The usual maintaining dose for atrial flutter is between 180-320 mg in three divided dose. This is why you may take a third tablets after 8 hours (around 08:30 p.m) from the last dose in order to control the HR.
As I said above you may take a third Diltiazem around 08:30 p.m.
You are mostly welcome to contact me again.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: Ifyou are satisfied with my answer please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
