Heart Questions (1 Viewer)

[AAABatteries]

Thought about putting this in one of many threads but none seemed to fit that I could find.  I've had (and known) that I have a heart murmur - supposedly nothing serious and I never have any issues that I'm aware of.  Back when Hank Gathers died I was in HS and it freaked my Mom out so she took me to have an EKG - everything is good - think I've had it done a couple times since and had my GP check it periodically- again, everything seems fine and he has no concerns.

Let me give some background - white, male, married, 4 kids, somewhat stressful job but I think I manage it fine.  I've been overweight more of my adult life than I've been even slightly overweight- I recently lost a lot (see Otis thread) and I'm now at 5'10" and 178.  I've had my weight yo-yo which I know isn't good.  I've started exercising again and running/swimming in particular.  I feel good and happy with the progress I've made.  One issue I've always had and still do - high heart rate - both exercising and at rest (jumps to 150-170 when running) - regularly 70-90 at rest.

Now to my questions:

- Can a heart murmur cause a consistently elevated heart rate?

- I've read that elevated HR can be a sign of heart disease - would that be true if the elevated HR was due to a murmur

- How often do you or if you were me would you get this checked?  Yes, I will be going to get it checked soon but looking for input and schtick.

 

[wikkidpissah]

heartbeat irregular at all?

 

[AAABatteries]

heartbeat irregular at all?

Yes but faint - I thought the murmur and irregular were synonymous though - do I have that wrong?

 

[wikkidpissah]

Yes but faint - I thought the murmur and irregular were synonymous though - do I have that wrong?

sounds a-fib ish. got both myself, lived w em for years - i call em the boombooms and a few minutes of yoga breathing usually deal. maybe beta blocker to reduce catastrophic risk (your grandfather's brand of stroke or heart attack), dont let em talk you into Warfarin until valve op is the only alternative. usually not a biggie - check w doc of course. GL -

 

[Tom Skerritt]

(jumps to 150-170 when running) - regularly 70-90 at rest.

This is perfectly normal. What is the problem?

 

[AAABatteries]

This is perfectly normal. What is the problem?

I thought 80-90 was high for resting HR? - as for running, yes, I know that's not unusual but for me I pretty much jump straight to 150 jogging - I plan to go to the doc to discuss this - thanks for the input 

 

[AAABatteries]

I didn't want to clutter the 10k thread but should probably discuss running HR in there

 

[captain_amazing]

Probably ball cancer

 

[Tom Skerritt]

I thought 80-90 was high for resting HR? - as for running, yes, I know that's not unusual but for me I pretty much jump straight to 150 jogging - I plan to go to the doc to discuss this - thanks for the input 

60-100 is normal. You should be concerned if your resting HR is consistently over 100. 

 

[Dedfin]

Barracuda

 

[culdeus]

I thought 80-90 was high for resting HR? - as for running, yes, I know that's not unusual but for me I pretty much jump straight to 150 jogging - I plan to go to the doc to discuss this - thanks for the input 

This is totally normal.  

Your actual heart rate isnt the same thing as an arrhythmia. 

You just lost a ton of weight. This can change arrhythmia patterns somewhat so go get checked out if you feel off. 

 

[msudaisy26]

60-100 is normal. You should be concerned if your resting HR is consistently over 100. 

This, I had hyperthyroidism and until I got it fixed about 3 years ago my resting heart rate was always between 110 and 125. 

 

[AAABatteries]

This, I had hyperthyroidism and until I got it fixed about 3 years ago my resting heart rate was always between 110 and 125. 

Wow - glad you got it fixed.  I guess mine is ok then based on feedback.  

 

[msudaisy26]

Wow - glad you got it fixed.  I guess mine is ok then based on feedback.  

The afib thing would scare me more. My father in-law has it and it is crazy how it messes him up when he goes into afib. 

 

[AAABatteries]

The afib thing would scare me more. My father in-law has it and it is crazy how it messes him up when he goes into afib. 

I've never had anything like that - I've had zero issues with the murmur and honestly wouldn't know I had it if I wasn't diagnosed as a kid - visits to the Dr. over the years have confirmed it's there but I was told it's nothing.  I just happened to be monitoring my HR today and it was higher than normal so I did some research - wasn't a lot online really so thought I'd ask here.

 

[irish eyes]

Keep getting checked AAA. My wife just recently found out she has weak heart, only working at about 50% of what it should. Elevated heart rate & she has 2 valves that don't close all the way. Dr said probably had most her life but she got a respiratory virus they think excelerated the problem. Pretty scary right now. Good luck & good health to you.

 

[Johnnymac]

I was told I have mitral valve prolapse about 15 years ago (i'm 54).  Essentially this a heart murmur and I was told it was not a major problem or anything.  I do know that when you go to the dentist that they really like to know this information, cant remember the reason why or what I was having done, but the dentist had to call my PCP to ask them if it was ok for them to proceed.  Freaked me out a bit at the time.

I have hypertension and what I call a fast, hard heartbeat.  My doc put me on Atelnol and that has helped tremendously with that issue.  As long as you do what you can to take care of yourself and see your doc on a regular basis it becomes less worrisome.

 

[Johnnymac]

Keep getting checked AAA. My wife just recently found out she has weak heart, only working at about 50% of what it should. Elevated heart rate & she has 2 valves that don't close all the way. Dr said probably had most her life but she got a respiratory virus they think excelerated the problem. Pretty scary right now. Good luck & good health to you.

Sorry to hear IE, hoping she gets better soon.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Yes but faint - I thought the murmur and irregular were synonymous though - do I have that wrong?

Murmur and irregular heart beat are not synonymous. Most arrhythmias do not have an associated murmur. 

If every doctor throughout your life has determined that it's a benign murmur then it probably is but an echocardiogram would put that to rest for good. Have you ever had a heart ultrasound?

 

[Osaurus]

Have family history of heart disease.  Most folks know I run and my resting rate is in the high 50s.  I have to go to the cardiologist for a stress test once every year.  It's sucks to do, but I have to do it to find out if I'm okay.  So far so good.  Keep an eye on things and don't freak out about it.

 

[shuke]

Yes but faint - I thought the murmur and irregular were synonymous though - do I have that wrong?

I don't think they're the same.  Irregular means the heart is not beating normally.  I think murmur has to do with the way the blood is flowing.  You should probably ask your doctor what exactly you have.

I had a case of afib about 10 years ago.  I ended up going to the ER after about 12 hours but it ended up self-correcting.  

A couple weeks ago my hears started "skipping" beats.  Went on for a few days.  I thought it was afib, felt similar, but I guess it was arrhythmia. Was pretty uncomfortable and unsettling for about 5 days but I have been assured there is nothing to worry about.