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Irregular heartbeat (erratic.. fast then slow then fast)Worried abt hubby

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Posted 6/9/2006 12:56 AM (GMT 0)

confused  Hello.. I am new to this forum so don't know exactly how it works, but I have searched the internet and can't seem to find anything that describes what is going on...

My husband has very severe lung disease, and therefore we have a pulse-ox.  Tonight he wasn't feeling well, so I had him put it on to check his O2 level (low of course), but the thing that is worrying me is the fact that his pulse would jump 10 beats at times up and down.. from 110 down to like 65... back and forth.. first up for a few then way down.. then build back up or jump up or down 10 or more beats at a time.  He is refusing to go to the hospital, doesn't think it's anything serious.  He now says he is feeling better, but won't check his pulse now.. says he doesn't want to get depressed and think about it all night.  Sounds like he has his mind made up, but I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of anything like this, and how hard I should push him to go get it checked at least tommorrow..  I realize he doesn't want to discover anything else that may be wrong. but I don't want to find him dead in the morning either.. maybe he is right and it's nothing, but I can't find anything that describes such an erratic pulse.. I am hoping someone here can tell me a little more... Sorry for the length.. didn't know how to describe it in less words.  Any input will be much appreciated..

Posted 6/9/2006 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! How is your husband doing today? I'm not a doctor and this is only a guess...however I do know that atrial fibrillation will cause your heart rate to be irregular like that. Now that doesn't mean panic! There are many people who suffer from atrial fibrillation and tolerate it very well. Some people stay in that rhythm for days+ and doctors just can't get their rhythm to convert back to normal. Also many of those people are not even bothered by it-no symptoms, no discomfort. The only way they will know is by taking their pulse and feeling that it is irregular instead of steady.

 

That does not mean that your husband should do nothing! There is an increase risk of stroke with atrial fibrillation from what I understand it is USUALLY associated with being in that rhythm for SEVERAL days. So many doctors want to put you on medication to thin the blood or something like that so that it is less likely to cause a stroke. I DO NOT KNOW. I AM ONLY GUESSING. I AM NOT A DOCTOR!! I am suggesting that you need to see a doctor and get it checked out. Better sooner than later AND better before something would happen than after. :-)

 

It could be nothing-just a little quirk that has passed and you'll never see it again. BUT it is better to let your husband's doctor know and get it checked out. They would probably take an EKG, maybe have him wear a 24hr holter or a monitor for a few days. It is as easy as pie and painless...maybe do an echo or stress test just to make sure the heart is functioning OK. It needs to be checked out!

Posted 6/9/2006 11:03 PM (GMT 0)

Hopes... Thank you so much for your reply.. Somehow it makes me feel a bit better about not being able to convince him to go to the dr.  He is  feeling some better today, but today, and has promised me he will go see the doc Mon esp. if not feeling better and/or the eratic pulse still continues/ starts again.  So far he has not let me check, nor has he checked since last nite.  I did talk to the nurse today, and she told me to double his Xanax (which he did with no argument, which makes me think he is not feeling tip-top) and to watch it for continuing or repeated weird pulses.  I will make sure I get a check tonite....somehow!!!!

Thank you again for your input.

Posted 6/10/2006 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Bonkirk, How is your hubby doing? I hope you guys have a great weekend!! Let us know how things go with the doc on Monday. :)
Posted 6/10/2006 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bonkirk,  Welcome to Healing Well forum.  I see that you have received some excellent suggestions from Hopes.  Please do let us know how your husband is doing and keep posting we are always here.  Take care.
Posted 6/10/2006 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi again Hopes..He is doing OK today, altho I fear not real great as he is pretty dumpy again today.  Of course he never feels 100% anymore, as he is only @ 17% lung function at last testing.. He did check his pulse last night and said it was OK.. didn't let me see it tho so just have to trust him.  We have a big family party tommorrow.. kids gave us a family portrait for Christmas and this is the day.. 27 of us all together w/children(4), grchild.(13), and grgrchild.(2) plus all their spouses, so it took some doing to get everyone here on the same day.  He told me yesterday that he didn't want to go to the doctor 'cause he would put him in the hospital(something he is deathly afraid of), and he doesn't want to miss the party. When he was diagnosed 10 yr ago, the doc told him that if he had to be put in the hospital, and put on a ventilator, that he wouldn't likely make it out again..(thanks doc!!).. Of course he also told him that he would be shocked to see him in 5 yr, and at 10 he is still out and about.  Very limited in what he can do, but still... Anyway he is now scared to death to go to dr for fear they will put him in hospital.. so he will fight it for all his life I'm sure.  For today, he seems  to be some better, but not well... I will keep you posted... and sorry so long.. I get going and don't know when to stop.

Thank you for your concern... And thank you moderator...

Posted 6/10/2006 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've had that erractic beat happen to me. I can feel it, beat fast, then slow down, then beat fast. I've been checked by cardio, and by primary and they say no problem. But I have no underlying lung/heart conditions. He really should get it checked out. It is probably nothing serious, but you never know.
My biggest issue is caffiene. If I drink too much I get way out of whack. But my doc keeps stressing that it is not dangerous to me. Some medications can cause an irregular heart beat too. Just a thought.
Sarah
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