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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Heart Rate Of 120 Bpm A Cause For Concern?

ONGOING EXISTING PROBLEM: I have a defective heart valve (stenosis) and atria-defibrillation. 2+ years ago I had a very bad situation with a 30 lb weight gain within a few days and a heart rate of over 120. In the emergency room the irregular heartbeat was discovered. After getting me stabilized, the next challenge was fixing the heart valve. Apparently replacing a defective heart valve has become quite common and successful even though it may still be a major surgery. That was the solution for me until the group of Physicians/Surgeons reviewing my situation realized that I was 85 yrs old and had had 3 major abdominal surgeries within the last 5 yrs including the removal of a large sack (polyp about the size of a grapefruit filled with a variety of cells, etc. some cancer-but not malignant) and a abdominal aortic aneurysm. Consequently ... I am not a candidate for another major surgery. SOLUTION: To fix my defective heart valve situation, my cardiologist prescribed Bisoprolol and Lasix. This has worked well addressing the weight gain and the heart rate (now consistently ranging between 68 - 88 daily) until recently when a few days ago when my heart rate was going up and down from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. to readings over 100 to a high of 130 and back down to 106, etc. ADDITIONAL CURRENT PROBLEM. I was able to see my primary Dr. right away yesterday (cardiologist is on vacation) and he gave me a strong new medication to take in 2 5-day sessions. DILTIAZEM. I was advised to continue taking my existing meds: Bisoprolol and Lasix. I took 2 Diltiazem pills ... one yesterday afternoon and the other at bed time. This morning I wake up with many/most of the side effects listed in the Diltiazem info information: dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, flushing, constipation, stomach is bloated, stomach/adominal pain (took a Tylenol for pain - was that a bad thing to do}. Do not want to take Bisopropol or Lasix. My vitals this a.m. are within normal acceptable range - 139/88/85. (systolic is a little higher than usual). After a couple of hours, my condition and symptoms have not changed. Not better/not worse. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY PRESCRIBED DILTIAZEM PILL THIS MORNING ... AND REALLY DO NOT WANT TO. I have not appetite. MY QUESTIONS TO YOU DOCTOR ARE: 1. Should I take my regular prescriptions (Bisoprolol and Lasix), and the Diltiazem; and 2. Is my current situation as described above normal? Is there anything more or less you would suggest that I do or not do? Thank you. Jack NOTE: The above dissertation has been provided and written by Jack s wife, Carol)
posted on Tue, 6 Sep 2016
Twitter Wed, 11 Sep 2019 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 23 Sep 2019 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello,

Testing heart rate 120 bpm is a little high and we have to investigate for the cause. In most of the patients, this is due to stress or anxiety due to alcohol detox.

As you are recording it manually or by nursing staff at a particular time and not continuous, you have to be sure that this rate is constant. Get your 24 hrs Holter study done and rule out whether this is related to your heart or stress.

Medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are effective in treating these types of symptoms.

Hypothyroidism can also be a cause for tachycardia and you have it, check your present value of thyroid function test and get treated.

Although these type of episodes are not life-threatening and resolve by its own unless you have a valvular disease but treated is needed for that.

Avoid stress as much as you can and keep yourself relaxed either by exercise, yoga or meditation. Check whether it has some effect on your heart rate or not.

If it works then, surely it is not related to your heart. Else you have to consult your cardiologist and get some investigations like Echocardiography and holter study did.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon
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Is Heart Rate Of 120 Bpm A Cause For Concern?

Hello, Testing heart rate 120 bpm is a little high and we have to investigate for the cause. In most of the patients, this is due to stress or anxiety due to alcohol detox. As you are recording it manually or by nursing staff at a particular time and not continuous, you have to be sure that this rate is constant. Get your 24 hrs Holter study done and rule out whether this is related to your heart or stress. Medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are effective in treating these types of symptoms. Hypothyroidism can also be a cause for tachycardia and you have it, check your present value of thyroid function test and get treated. Although these type of episodes are not life-threatening and resolve by its own unless you have a valvular disease but treated is needed for that. Avoid stress as much as you can and keep yourself relaxed either by exercise, yoga or meditation. Check whether it has some effect on your heart rate or not. If it works then, surely it is not related to your heart. Else you have to consult your cardiologist and get some investigations like Echocardiography and holter study did. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon