Question: I am on two kinds of blood pressure pills, and also have COPD, emphysema, and asthma. My blood pressure is good, but my pulse rate sometimes goes up to 115. What might be causing this?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
High heart rates are often a result of our bodies attempting to correct for poor circulation or poor oxygen levels in the blood. Other times, stress may be to blame for a rapid heart rate. Some medicines, supplements, or foods we eat can also cause a heart rate spike.
Blood pressure-lowering medications may affect your heart rate in either direction, while exacerbations of your COPD or asthma will certainly cause fluctuations in pulse.
First of all, you need to define whether these rapid rates are normal for you, and what they seem to be associated with. See your doctor for a focused check, and if no cause is evident, you may be asked to wear a 24-hour Holter monitor to track your rapid rate episodes.
A rapid heart rate sometimes is an early warning of problems that can be prevented, often with simple medication adjustment.
© 2023 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.