Ask the Doctor: ‘My fitness tracker often tells me my heart rate is high, despite sitting at my desk or relaxing — should I be worried?’“I’m a working mum with a busy job and three kids. I wear a fitness tracker to ensure I get my daily steps in. This often tells me my heart rate is high despite sitting at my desk or relaxing with my children, should I be worried?”, consultant cardiologist and lifestyle medicine, Beacon Hospital.
If your heart rate is reading higher, first ask yourself, how are you feeling? Are you feeling that your heart is racing? Does it feel irregular in rhythm, skipping, jumping? Is it making you short of breath, or are you feeling dizzy? Make a note of the fact that a healthy heart has a bpm of 70-90. If you answer yes to some of these questions, it may be worth talking to your doctor, who can refer you to a cardiologist. You may need a heart tracing monitor, blood pressure monitor, exercise stress test and ultrasound , plus blood tests to check thyroid and blood count. All of these will help to rule out or identify any underlying issues.
Smoking and narcotics are an absolute no for heart health. Sleep and stress cannot be underestimated. It is a fact that sleeping for 6-8 hours each night reduces heart disease, while poor sleep increases heart rate. You mention you’re a mum, so no doubt have lots on your plate every day.is a cause of heart problems and higher heart rates. Trying to do everything can lead to exhaustion and burnout.