Is a high heartbeat normal?

[Hot Rod Harry]

It's been 8 weeks since mitral valve repair, and my normal heart beat of 55-65 is now 103 average after surgery.

I just discovered that 1 Advil did in fact reduce my heart rate by 10 beats!! But even 90 seems high. I assume that it reduces inflamation. If so, how long before the inflamation goes away, and how long before my heart beat goes back to normal?

Is there any medication I can suggest to my Cardiologist to help?

Thanks, Harry.

 

[Ross]

Sometimes your heart doesn't settle down until 6 months after surgery. I would certainly mention it to the Doc, but don't count on him doing much about it just yet.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Almost everyone has an elevated HR following OHS. It can take MONTHS to return to normal.

Beta Blockers are often prescribed to slow overly fast Heart Rates (>100 bpm). Even 120 bpm is not uncommon. Anything over that requires immediate attention.

A previous cardiologist had me on 100 mg of Toprol XL (extended release) which had me feeling quite lethargic and tired most of the time.

My (current) cardiologist believes in using the MINIMUM dose that improves symptoms. He had me reduce my dose by half for two weeks which still controlled my HR and made me feel MUCH more energetic. He then had me cut my dose in half again for another two weeks. Still worked. Finally, he had me stop taking Toprol and 10 days later I started having irregular heart beats. Back to 25 mg which worked well for a few years until other issues developed and he had to go to a stronger / more targeted Beta Blocker.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Karlynn]

I have been on metoprolol (Toprol) since my surgery 15 years ago, almost, to keep my heart rate down. Not because it's always high, but that it jumps up upon mild exertion. A high resting heart rate after surgery is pretty normal and can take a while to come down. Mention it to the doctor though.

Are you getting your walking in?

 

[sue943]

I am fourteen months post surgery and as I am typing this my heart beat is 101, when still in bed and completely at rest it is perhaps a little under 75 at its lowest, roll over in bed and it shoots up. I only know this as I put my monitor on this morning.

 

[Bob M.]

I had AVR on May 8, 2006. Currently, my heart rate is in the high 90's and sometimes is above 100, usually no greater than 105. When I asked my cardiologist about this he said that a normal heart rate was from 80 to 100. However, prior to my surgery my heart rate was about 72. Before my AVR I had atrial fibrillation and during the hospital stay for that they tried to lower my heart rate and eliminate the fibrillation but on that medication (I don't remember what it was) my blood pressure lowered too much. They switched the med and my heart went into regular rhythm. Because of the blood pressure problem they are hesitant about giving me medication to lower the rate, however, after reading some of these posts I'm not as concerned. I sure hope my heart rate will go down in the future.

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

Great news

Great news

All morning, my HR has been around 93-94, without any Advil! We'll see if that holds up all day. It was even 84 this morning, with BP being 127/77.

I'm glad to hear that the high pulse is normal. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I can't imagine that Advil has a direct relationship to heartrate.

ACTIVITY during the first few months will definitely make your HR go up. If it goes above 120 with mild exertion, you may want to discuss adding a Low Dose Beta Blocker. Do you wear a Heart Rate Monitor when exercising?

Did your Cardiologist (or surgeon) give you a Walking Program schedule ? If not, ASK for one. Walking is the best way to recondition your Body and Heart following surgery. Eventually, it should return to your pre-surgery normal (60's and 70's at rest).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

My Cardiologist says that the Advil is relieving the inflamation around the heart, and allowing it to relax, this the lower heart rate.

Yes, I wear a monitor when walking. I walk everyday. I'm up to 25 min, and I keep my HR just below 125, per the Cardiologist. Somedays I will walk twice, though not as much exertion as the first.