Heart Rate Post Surgery

[Duff Man]

I've noticed quite a few people experience tachycardia after surgery (fast heart rate above 100 bpm). Is that something most people should expect?

I'm especially curious about what kind of heart rate someone has after a bentall procedure. Seems like it might be even higher because the graft probably allows some back-pressure to escape through the weaved fabric and suture lines.

I've always had an issue with my pulse being too high so it has me a little concerned. The first time I went to my doctor for my heart it was because of a pulse constantly above 95 bpm. I don't want to wake up with a zooming pulse AND have to deal with the stress of intubation. I will deal with it if I have to and I'll be glad to just HAVE a pulse, but that's super not desirable.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Post-Op Resting Heart Rates of 80 to 100 are VERY common. It is my 'understanding' that the surgeon's don't get too concerned until the resting HR is over 120.

Since you have an elevated HR to begin with, that would be a good question to ask your Cardiologist and Surgeon before surgery.

 

[Susan BAV]

From experiences I've read here, at least temporary A-fib/A-flutter seems to be a fairly common post-op complication. I have also read that pre-op beta blocker use can contribute to this issue, namely post-op A-fib. Most of us have been on beta blockers pre-op so maybe there is some truth to that.

 

[sknydave]

My HR was in the 90's for about a week after surgery, then it returned back to my norm of 60ish

 

[Smiley2000]

Fast HR is also something that I battle with, 6 weeks post-op. My HR pre-surgery was irregular (extra systoles) but always +- 80. For the past 3 weeks it is 125 (resting) and my BP is looooooow (90/60) so I can't take any beta-blockers.

I have been using Lanoxin for the past 3 days and still no change.

is this normal???

 

[Dina]

Fast HR is also something that I battle with, 6 weeks post-op. My HR pre-surgery was irregular (extra systoles) but always +- 80. For the past 3 weeks it is 125 (resting) and my BP is looooooow (90/60) so I can't take any beta-blockers.

I have been using Lanoxin for the past 3 days and still no change.

is this normal???

Hi Smiley, When I was in A. Flutter before surgery , I had a heart rate of
200, and the EMT's couldnt even get my bp and they needed it to see if they could safely give me a med that usually LOWERS the bp but also lowers the heart rate , when we got to the ER the my bp was 70/50 and the doc told the EMT that in this case it would have been best to give me this med(cardizem) since it was the rapid heart rate that was causing my low bp and that once the heart rate was controlled my bp would be also. I found this explanation
to make sense as with that fast of a rate, your heart is not pumping with
any effectiveness and if not treated will lead to shock.
I hope you are doing well - I remember your posts post op and bless you
always,

 

[Dina]

Hi Smiley, When I was in A. Flutter before surgery , I had a heart rate of
200, and the EMT's couldnt even get my bp and they needed it to see if they could safely give me a med that usually LOWERS the bp but also lowers the heart rate , when we got to the ER the my bp was 70/50 and the doc told the EMT that in this case it would have been best to give me this med(cardizem) since it was the rapid heart rate that was causing my low bp and that once the heart rate was controlled my bp would be also. I found this explanation
to make sense as with that fast of a rate, your heart is not pumping with
any effectiveness and if not treated will lead to shock.
I hope you are doing well - I remember your posts post op and bless you
always,

I saw you said the 125 was your resting rate ,what is it on exertion ? and
are you real short of breath? I had this for about 2 weeks myself and I
did go up into the 120's while walking(slowly!) If you go higher than you are
I would go check it out -again I guess. There are so many different meds for
this ,you just need to find the one specifically for you. Also this tachycardia
should go away on its own after awhile, I think it takes time for your heart to adjust to NOT overwoking as it used to.
Best Wishes,Dina

 

[Smiley2000]

Thanks Dina, really appreciate it

The Treatmill test/stress ECG showed that my HR went to 180 on exertion and then she aborted the test. I had Ablation done in Nov. 2007 to treat Tachycardia's (180 resting!) and EP was able to ablate 1 of the extra AV nodes. Pre-op my heart was irregular, but ave. 80 b.p.m.

This fast HR has been going on for the last 3 weeks. How long can I carry on with this before I end up in shock? Should I give LANOXIN another few days to start working? have been on it for 3 days now, with high startage dose. Low BP is not dangerous, but definitely not nice to have. I see white spots and get dizzy easily.

 

[kfay]

Smiley said "This fast HR has been going on for the last 3 weeks. How long can I carry on with this before I end up in shock? Should I give LANOXIN another few days to start working? have been on it for 3 days now, with high startage dose. Low BP is not dangerous, but definitely not nice to have. I see white spots and get dizzy easily. "

Smiley, before my first OHS, I had tachycardias because of my Wolff Parkinson White, in which my heart would reach 300 beats a minute. Luckily, they cured that in that surgery. However, there have been many times since then where my HR would never go below 125 or so and usually stayed around 145 for weeks, even months at a time. In both of these situations, I never went into "shock". I did finally pass out from one of the 300 bpm tachycardias which prompted my surgery. I know it is really annoying but hopefully the Lanoxin will start working soon. I took that drug for the first 17 years of my life until I had my surgery. Since this last surgery 5 weeks ago, my heart rate has been the lowest of my life....60's-70''s. If you are that concerned, I would call your Dr. back.

Kim

 

[Duff Man]

I think I'm going to ask my surgeon to go ahead and do some ablation to fix it while i'm out... or at least discuss it to see if it's an option. I don't want to be on beta blockers anymore. I'm definitely going to let the surgeon know that I anticipate a raging pulse.

 

[PairoDocs]

I just wanted to chime in and say my resting pulse has been 90-100 post surgery no matter what. Even when I was on25 - 200 mg/day Toprol, Verapamil, Diltiazem (Cardazem), and Lanoxin (0.5 mg), it stayed about 90 and I suffered only side-effects of the medications. Now I take no beta or calcium channel blockers and my pulse is about 100 resting when I'm up and about, and gets to 90 or once in a while mid 80s when in bed. Go figure.
At least the rate goes up with exercise--rather nicely in fact--one definite plus post-surgery. I can mow and carry heavy boxes long distances (see post-surgical House Clutter posting for why) without getting badly out of breath, even run around playing with the kids and hiking around 8000 ft mountains hauling 40 lbs. rocks--recent rock hounding trip. Oddly, though, when I'm angry or emotional about something it has absolutely no effect on my heart rate whatsoever, so I end up getting out of breath and dizzy when I'm mad, whereas before surgery my heart rate would go up with my emotional state. Perhaps the rate goes up some, but not when I've checked.
My surgeon's nurse attributed my higher heart rate to "Happy heart syndrome." Sounds a bit contrived--beats me why else it would be happening--unless that "post surgical septum" is my heart's way of smiling that it's all fixed up--and dancing around in 3/4 time in joy for having a nice new fresh start on life. Oh well, at least I'm alive to whine about the high pulse and the bulging red keloid. Things could be much worse...
My family is here and loves me and I them; I'm looking forward to a nice camping trip to Virgin Valley Nevada June 10-15 (if I get some nice opals I'll try to post some pictures in the Small Talk forum), and it looks like a bumper crop of fruit in the orchard this year.

Chris