Rapid Pulse?

10-31-2005, 03:04 PM

Hi. This is my first time posting. I am 16 years old, male, and am about 5'3" and weigh 125-130 lbs.

I haven't really worried about my heartbeat much in the past, but one time about a month ago, I got stressed about something, and I felt my heart beating kind of fast. I know that is normal, but that just got me to worry about my heart (just anxiety, more than anything else).

Anyway, what concerns me a bit is that sometimes I check my pulse by holding my thumb on my left wrist, and sometimes it seems that my pulse is wildly out of control for seemingly no reason at all. It could be just a stress or whatever that I'm not aware of. Sometimes my heart seems to beat faster than I think it should. I've talked to my mother about this before a few times, and she thinks it's nothing to be too concerned about because she said that she thought I just simply have a fast heart.

I don't seem to have any symptoms (except for the occasional rapid pulse, of course), so that might rule out any possible conditions. Does anyone know if this is normal or not, and what can be done to keep it under control?

Thanks
Joey

10-31-2005, 03:36 PM

Hi Joey~

You said that you were stressed out the first time you noticed it. A rapid heartbeat can definitely be caused by stress and/or anxiety, that is what happens to me. And now that you have felt it once, you are more aware of your heart beating. Trust me, I do the exact same thing. If it continues, I would recommend talking to your doctor about it just to make sure it isn't anything to worry about. How fast is your pulse? Anything from about 60 to 100 is considered normal, so if it's somewhere in there try not to worry too much. I know, easier said than done. As for me, I take a teeny tiny dose of beta blockers to keep my heart from racing. Basically a beta blocker helps your heart keep a nice, even rhythm and at the same time lowers your blood pressure. Hope this helps a bit.... Let us know!

10-31-2005, 06:21 PM

Hi,
Thanks for the quick response! Usually, my heartbeat stays around the 100 bpm range (often when stressed, or noticed). There have been a few times when it's been slower at around 60 or 70. But sometimes it's gone as high as about 120 or 130 bmp. I'm not sure if it's ever been higher than that, but it could have. But yeah, stress and anxiety is probably the worst of the problem.

Thanks

10-31-2005, 06:59 PM

Don't take you pulse with your thumb. It interfers with the heart rate. Use either two or three fingers and don't press hard.

11-01-2005, 06:23 AM

Joey,

That all seems pretty normal for a 16 year old.

11-01-2005, 08:10 AM

120-130 is a safe rate and not a sign of a problem if it's only intermittent.

11-01-2005, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the replies, y'all. Glad to know that its probably nothing to worry about.

11-01-2005, 04:22 PM

I wouldn't take 120-130 as something to just forget and move on with, see a doctor and find out if your ok. Maby it's nothing, but it's better to make sure of it. Like someone else said don't use your thumb reason being when you use your thumb it can give a wrong reading due to a vane I think it was, just use your index finger and even better yet do it on your neck.

11-02-2005, 01:20 PM

It's only 120-130 in more rare circumstances. Usually it's not that high.

11-03-2005, 04:24 AM

Hi i also have a rapid heart beat taken also a small doze of Beeta blockers, PROPRANOLOL anyone else taken theses?....but I really wanted them for worry and nerves.Will beeta blockers help with Anxiety??
Thanks

11-03-2005, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danthespan

Hi i also have a rapid heart beat taken also a small doze of Beeta blockers, PROPRANOLOL anyone else taken theses?....but I really wanted them for worry and nerves.Will beeta blockers help with Anxiety??
Thanks

Yes, beta blockers are sometimes prescribed for anxiety. They help by reducing the physical symptoms of panic.

11-06-2005, 10:39 AM

This morning, I checked my pulse when I wasn't really moving around or anything, and I'd say it was in the 120-130 range. That's what frustrates me. Sometimes, my heartbeats are completely normal, but sometimes they race for no reason at all.

I'm planning to see a doctor in a few months when I get the chance just to see if everything's okay. My mother said that they have medicines to slow heart rates (like you all said, Beta Blockers), but I'd only take medication if my doctor says I should.

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