Crazy racing heart, anyone else?

nekedfeet · January 2016

Hi all-
So yesterday we went to the beach for the day- stunning weather here in Sydney! I slathered on the sunscreen and mostly stayed under the umbrella apart from a few swim sessions and drying off a bit. Of course, like every pregnant woman ever I got a little burned anyway- not badly at all, just in a few choice spots where the sunscreen missed/washed away more quickly. The areas are/were pink and hot.
During the day I had a few times where I was significantly out of breath: going fully into the somewhat chilly water took my breath away- I'm sure it was the temp difference, but it felt intense!! It happened again later when walking quickly through hot sand, but that's to be expected after such exertion on a hot day.

MY real problem came later: that evening, a few hours after the beach my heart started racing and didn't stop for nearly two hours. I took my bp and bpm with our home monitor, and it was high for me: my norm is 95/65 with a bpm of 64. Last night is was 120/77 with a bpm at 82!!! So the blood pressure was "normal" (for someone else) but the heart rate was very elevated for me. It really freaked me out.

My husband, thinking the culprit was overheating/ dehydration, jumped into action pointing the air/con at me, making me drink about 2L of ice water and putting cool compresses on my skin. I'm sure I was dehydrated, even though I didn't feel thirsty or headachy, I had to be after a day out like that.
Another friend suggested trying to take in some magnesium to relax my muscles (including the heart...) so I stuffed a bunch of almonds in my mouth hoping something would work. It calmed down a bit by bedtime, but I slept terribly, still feeling off and uncomfy.

Has this, or something like it, happened to anyone else out there? What did you do in the situation and how long did it last? What do you think caused it?
Looking to avoid this in the future if possible, but maybe this is my new normal?? Thoughts?

fishwife799 · January 2016

I had this happen last pregnancy and once so far this one. It almost felt like a panic attack but I really had no reason to have them at the time. I mentioned it to my doctor and she said its fine. Just make sure I'm hudrated and rest when it happens.
I would definitely bring the rise in you BP up to your doctor though.

ahernandez16 · January 2016

I had this happen about a week ago. It was in the evening also when I wasn't doing anything after just a normal day. Like pp said, it felt like a panic attack. I called the after hours hotline at my doctor's office and they booked me an appointment for the next day (they weren't concerned enough about it to tell me to go to the ER).

Anyway, I went to the appointment and they did a quick EKG and tested my thyroid and everything was fine. He reminded me my body is working for 2 and as long as my chest doesn't start hurting, to just sit down and drink some water and relax when it happens and it has, like 3 other times. But I would go to the doctor and get checked out anyway, and yes, bring up the BP rise. Hope everything turns out okay! Its definitely scary when it happens.

CourtJack · January 2016

I had this happen a few times last pregnancy and I was super worried about it, but it never turned out to be anything. I guess with all the extra blood pumping - sometimes that happens? It's not fun though - I hope it doesn't get that bad again!

And sidebar to say how jealous I am that it's summer there right now.

NicknShan · January 2016

I had this happen to me as well. It was like a caffeine overdose when I wasn't drinking caffeine, or the onset of a panic attack.

I did have some anxiety/panic attack issues pre pregnancy, and I am not currently taking any medication, so I just blamed that and tried to relax. Meditate. Drink water. Etc.

It's an awful feeling, and I am sorry you felt this way!

Rosehip15 · January 2016

During pregnancy, it's typical for your heart rate to increase somewhat, and 82 is well within normal range. Yes, dehydration can increase your heart rate. As for your BP being a bit higher, that was likely anxiety about the situation. It can do incredible things to BP. If you're otherwise feeling well, I'm sure it was ok.

VikingGirl12 · January 2016

I have had constant racing heart this pregnancy.. Over 100 bpm during a bad "attack". I had my heart checked thoroughly right before I found out I was pregnant so I know that's ok.. I think mine is anxiety.
I know when I'm not pregnant and I've been in the sun a long time it will cause a faster HB.. Just drink plenty and try and test today. If it keeps happening you might wanna ask your dr. It's normal for your HB to be 15 ish beats faster per min while pregnant due to the increase in blood.

MsBeachNJ · January 2016

I had this a lot pre-pregnancy. I know mine was exacerbated by taking certain medications which I now know to avoid completely (sinus medication/decongestants etc. all gave me racing heart palpitations). I had my thyroid checked twice, had EKG's, the works etc, they couldn't find anything wrong and told me that some people just experience them. My mom had them really bad when she was pregnant (hoping they don't come back & hit me anytime soon!). I find keeping myself overly hydrated helps to stave them off. Good luck, I know that they aren't fun and can really cause high anxiety and the feeling of having a heart attack... I wouldn't wish them on anyone so I hope they don't return for you!

june2016baby · January 2016

A resting heart rate of around 80 is normal/average for a pregnant woman. My heart feels like it's racing a lot this pregnancy, but when I check, my it is usually around 80. Pre-pregnancy, my blood pressure was around 100/60. But when at the doctor's last week I was nervous about my placenta and it was 131/59.... I was a little worried. But our pressures are no where near pre-eclampsia. And the top number, which was extra high for both of us, is more affected by anxiety.

Good luck!

BakerBird525 · January 2016

Anything from 60-100 bpm is completely normal. And during pregnancy, your HR can increase by 10-15 bpm due to all the extra blood pumping. The sun exposure can cause dehydration which can cause an increase in your heart rate. I think doctors are more concerned about BP than HR and yours was within normal range.

I'm medicated due to anxiety so I definitely know what it feels like when it just seems to be going really fast for no reason! Rest, relax, and hydrate and you will feel better!

nekedfeet · January 2016

Thank you everyone for the responses! It certainly sounds like I'm not alone here.

I know it's normal for my bpm to be up during pregnancy, but I have checked it throughout and mine hovers from 62-66... generally relaxed and normal! So the 82 felt nuts to me even though it was well within an "acceptable" range. It's all relative to each person, I'm sure. Pretty positive the raised BP was due to the stress of the high bpm-- I was fairly freaked out by the time I sat down to do the measurement.

I haven't had it since! Who knows what the real cause was-- there was no evident trigger. I'm sure dehydration wasn't doing me any favors though.

Thanks again for chiming in everyone-- it certainly makes it feel more normal, and less like what Dr. Google would like to forecast when you type in "pregnant high bpm, normal bp". Not worth the stress on that one!

Hope you're all feeling well.

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