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What could be the reason for increased heart rate of my pregnant wife?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At February 4, 2017
Reviewed AtDecember 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My wife is 34 weeks pregnant. She has known tachycardia and had an unsuccessful ablation at 11 years old. Around six weeks ago, using pulse oximeter I have at home, I noticed her resting heart rate had dramatically increased. It went from an average of around 100 to around 130 and 140, sometimes 123. She has just had a 48-hour tape fitted today, and amazingly her heart rate has now dropped to an average of 95. She has not been stressed about her heart, so it cannot be that reason why all of a sudden it has dropped. What could be the cause of this?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Tachycardia, which she had, was mostly probably PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) or other SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), which are usually episodic in nature. So, the reading which you had of 123 was probably not due to her old heart problem PSVT, but it was sinus tachycardia may be because of activities or stress, dehydration, pain, etc,. and baseline heart rate at the time was also probably in the same range. Heart rate is the highly variable parameter. Heart rate normally chnges with many things like anxiety, activities, fever, dehydration and many other and this is very well normal. The heart rate of 120 to 140 could normally be achieved. If one has an episode of PSVT, then he would be symptomatic like severe palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain and heart rate is usually above 150. So, the heart rate of 95 is normal and no need to worry. The heart rate of 123 was not probably PSVT or SVT, but just a sinus tachycardia. If it was, then these are episodic tachycardia and returns to baseline on their own. If she has repeat episodes, then she should cough hard to abort the episode and may be neck massage if taught by a doctor after neck examination. Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Cardiology

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