I am 12 1/2wks pregnant with my 6th baby. I started having heart flutters in early April and felt like my heart was beating faster that normal. I was scared to death and went straight to my doctor. I had all kinds of blood work all normal except for a positive pregnancy test (I was shocked). I also wore a 24hr holter monitor which only showed 4 PVC's in the whole 24hr period. It showed my average daily heart rate was 98bpm. With a high at one point of 170bpm but, I think that was after running up and down our stairs several times after my 2yr old. My low was 59bpm while sleeping. Before I became pregnant my heart rate was always around 90 to 95 and my blood pressure is normal. Needless to say after having 5 kids I am over weight and was working on that when I found out about this little one. I work four days a week which involves alot of walking and some lifting. I have checked my heart rate while doing this and it have never been above 116. My question is when do you worry about your heart rate? My doctor dosen't seem concerned. I also just started taking 300mg of Magnesium to help with the PVC's and it seems to be helping some.

Prego, if you using too much caffeine stop it!
You can use 50/50 coffee or better yet decaf even though the decaf contains caffeine too. If you are a cola addict that will cause tachycardias too.
Some people don't realise that caffeine can cause BP to rise, tachycardia, nervousness etc.
As for the PVC's I wouldn't even worry about 4 in a 24 hour period. If you have them constantly , in groups, bigeminies and trigeminies, if they wake you up in the middle of the night, if they last for hours, then we'll talk. Also if you are using alergy or cold remedies check with your doctor because these will cause ectopies too (PAC's, PVC's, Supraventricular Tach).

Hi,

Just so you know I stopped all cafein back in April when all this started. I also do not take cold medicines. I documented 10 PVC's durring my holter test but, they said I only had 4. This makes me wonder if I am acutally felling PVC's or if I'm feeling when my heart rate increases or decreases. I have been feeling this at least 50 times per day. It feels like a hard thump or sometimes two. The only thing that is really concerning me is my heart rate. It is in the 90's most of the time but, if I'm just walking or after eating it goes up to at leat 105. It has me kind of concerned about how high it might get latter in pregnancy since I am only 12wks.

Theresa

Okay, suggestion #2: have a thyroid screening because hyperthyrodism increases the heart rate and can cause palpitations too. The heart rate of 100 it's still concidered normal and only above 100 becomes sinus Tach.

It is normal for the heart rate to increase after a meal.

The PVC's you felt and the holter monitor didn't record aren't you imagination they were real. It has happened to me many times before.. machines aren't perfect nor are the persons that read the results!

Also, there are drugs that they can put you on to slow down your heart if that bothers you much.

And finaly I don't know what else to say except good luck to you.

I already had blood work done back in April and they checked for diabetes, thyroid, anemia, ect. all were normal. I think alot of what is going on may be that I've made my self extremly nervos. I read so much on what could be wrong before I found out I was pregnant that I may have brought alot of this on myself. I checked my pregnancy journal from when I had my two year old and at my first prenatal visit at 6wks my heart rate was 95. I am sure durring my pregnancy it had to go higher than that I just wasn't checking it like I do now. I may be worrying for nothing. A heart rate in the 90's may be normal for me I talked to my dad and he said his is always in the 90's.

Theresa

Hi, Just the fact that you are pregnant warrents a higher pulse rate. I have been preg 7 times and when I check my pulse and it is higher than usual, I go straight out an have a preg test. It is possitive nerly every time. You need extra blood while preg and your heart has to work harder than usual to pump all the extra blood. The time to be concerned is when it is painful with real bad dizzy spells. At least that is what my doc. has told me. Good luck. I hope all goes well with that baby and your heart.

hmay