Racing heart?

LittleLunarMouse · November 2015

Sorry if this has been asked, I'm on mobile and can't find the search function, but don't recall seeing this anywhere recently.

So yea, standing here at work doing nothing and my heart is racing like crazy, and I'm slightly short of breath. This is the third time this has happened, and every time Im simply lounging not doing anything at all. As is typical of me I researched the crap out of it and it seems to be because your heart is now pumping more blood than usual and just working harder overall. I drink nothing but water all day so I know I'm not dehydrated or anything.

So I guess I just want a little confirmation that this has happened to others as well! I think I just feel a little better when people say "yea me too!" So I can feel like it's normal and everything is ok, even though that's what the medical literature is telling me, lol.

ijstarr28 · November 2015

Did you eat or drink anything carb heavy (breads, sugars, Granola bars) before this happened (about 10-15 mins)?

My Dr warned about too much sugar with no protein because pregnant women have a tendency to over shoot the insulin response. He was very clear that granola bars are many times the culprit.

Just a thought. I'd call my Dr's office if i were really concerned. Dr Google is a horrible Dr.

MrsRo731 · November 2015

Yep, this happened in my last pregnancy and it's already started in this one! You're not alone, mama. I remember asking my OB last time and he basically said what you described - pumping more blood and working overtime. Hope you feel better - I understand because it can be a scary feeling!

sboston06 · November 2015

I don't have a racing heart, but I do feel mildly short of breath pretty much all the time. From my research it's due to progesterone and an expanding rib cage. https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a219/breathlessness-in-pregnancy

You can check your pulse either on your wrist or your neck (don't check both sides at one time or press too hard), and just count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Your heart rate should be between 60-100 most of the time when you're at rest. If it's significantly higher than that, I would call your doctor, if only to ease your mind.

LittleLunarMouse · November 2015

@ijstarr28 I ate a chicken sandwich with avocado and tomato? Yea around 20 minutes or so ago. Don't worry, I don't pay attention to dr. Google, I always get my info from reputable resources (ie medical journals/organizations) and not from blogs or baby websites or anything. I'm really anal about source checking haha.

@MrsRo731 oh good that's exactly what I needed to hear! Confirmation bias I suppose xD thank you!

MsBeachNJ · November 2015

Unfortunately yes this is a known pregnancy side effect! Like PP have said if it gets really bad where you can't function or you are overly concerned call your doctor.

LittleLunarMouse · November 2015

@sboston06 good idea. It was 100, so normal! That makes me feel better haha. Thanks!

Whovian10 · November 2015

I agree with PPs. If you start to worry call your OB. I hope you feel better soon!

As for the search feature on mobile it's located at the bottom of the page. Silly I know but I thought I'd help anyone else out who may need to know where it is in the future.

nopegoat · November 2015

It's happened to me during every pregnancy so far. Definitely no fun but pretty normal.

DobbysSock · November 2015

My heart rate is usually around 80 when I'm not pregnant, but sits at slightly over 100 when I'm pregnant (it was 104 last time I checked). Sometimes it makes me feel a little anxious/short of breath but if I sit and take some deep breaths, drink some water, and try to relax the feeling usually passes, although my heart rate stays up. I would still mention it to your doctor next time you're in, on the off chance it flags anything for him/her but it is normal for your heart to be working harder right now!

Eveinshock · November 2015

Oh I have this. In fact I had a yeast infection 6 days after I got pregnant (first symptom) and went to the dr for it. my heart rate was 95 instead of my typical 70 something. I thought it was weird and I had no clue I was pregnant at the time but I have been feeling it ever since. Freaks me out.

CosmoAnne1 · November 2015

Yes all last night. I told my DH I feel like my heart is racing and I hate it. I remember it happen with my last pregnancy to.

valleyvice · November 2015

I had the same symptoms too, but I think for some people (and this was the case with me), it's attributable to being anxious. I was so worried about the baby's growth, fear of miscarriage, environmental exposures, that I totally freaked myself out and I'd have some serious tachycardia! I'm sure having a ton of extra blood in my body and my heart already working on overdrive didn't help. I found doing yoga nidra (guided meditation videos I find on YouTube) with deep breathing exercises really helped to slow down my heart rate. I recommend it if your increased heart rate is affecting your ability to fall asleep.

holly142 · November 2015

I have this whenever I am about to tell someone I am pregnant even though I know everyone will be supportive. My heart races so fast I have trouble breathing. I think it is a combination of excitement and stress.

BostonBaby1 · November 2015

I have tachycardia and despite having to take a low-dose beta blocker for it, it doesn't affect pregnancy. If it gets very uncomfortable than you should talk to your doctor.

trucksntutus · November 2015

I've never experienced this after eating until today! I just ate a bunch of delicious-ness as it's my first of three Turkey Day's. Carbs everywhere! Drinking water seems to be helping, but it feels like my heart is beating super fast! Eeeek. Don't like it.

fishwife799 · November 2015

This happened to me a bit during the second half of my last pregnancy. It's happened about twice so far this time. I was told it's pretty normal. Just make sure I'm keeping up a reasonably healthy diet which can be a little hard with MS but I'm trying. It hasn't happened for a couple weeks now.

FiancB · November 2015

It's normal for your HR to increase, and I've had a racing heart a few times along with being short of breath. Taking some time to do some meditative breathing helps, since the sensation itself feeds into anxiety and vice versa. Quick hack that I've found helpful:

Though there's a lot of different methods, and yeah you may need a beta blocker or something.

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