Fast Heart Rate @ 55 Ft..?

[lilo]

Today I experienced a fast fast heart rate at the depth of 55ft....is this normal? All I could hear in the water was my heart beat real fast and it made me very nervous that I didn't complete my dive!: Also I had problems trying to equalize in my left ear and had a lot pain so I decided to go back to the boat.:shakehead

I will appreciate your all comments....Lilo

 

[joshr502]

Did your heart rate increase when the pain started? Pain can make your heart rate increase. Did your pulse slow down when you got back to the surface or as you neared the surface?

 

[ArcticDiver]

A couple questions:
-How did you know it was fast? Feel/hear it in your ears or head?
-Are you one of those sensitive people who feel their heart beat and often have other senses that are more acute than most others?
-How fast was it?
-Was it regular and strong?
-If you are a new diver do you need more instruction on how to clear your ears?
-Did you have a barotrauma to your ears?

Once you think about these questions make a visit to your primary care provider. Your provider will be the person who knows you the best and will be able to give you the best answer. You may be referred on to a specialist. But the primary provider is the place to start.

If you don't have a primary care provider find one and establish a good relationship. A provider in whom you have confidence and who is willing to do the research and consulting necessary to give you answers to your health questions is your best resource for things like this, and others.

 

[TSandM]

The problem with trying to answer this question is that there just isn't enough information.

The first thing I would want to know is what the pulse rate actually WAS. Sometimes people feel as though their heart is pounding, but the rate is actually within the normal range. Sometimes it's slightly elevated -- that can come with pain, or with fear, or with elevated CO2 levels. Rates up to about 130 are usually normal heart rhythms, just faster because of adrenaline related to something else. Rates above 150 are usually abnormal rhythms (these rules aren't cut and dried, but rules of thumb).

An abnormal heart rhythm would be reason to stop diving until it is investigated.

Prudent medical advice would be to avoid diving until you have seen your primary care physician and had at the very least an electrocardiogram. Depending on your age and associated medical conditions, more tests might be indicated.

This is obviously generic advice for the question of rapid heart rate, and is in no way intended to be a specific medical prescription.

 

[lilo]

Actually I really can't tell what was my heart rate was....When I started going down I was fine and had no problem equalizing......then I started feeling pain in my left ear and felt my heart pounding real fast and it wouldn't just go away...it made me real nervous since I never experienced this before. Im 41.... i don't know about my pulse...i didn't check

A couple questions:
-How did you know it was fast? Feel/hear it in your ears or head? (I felt my heart pound real fast)-Are you one of those sensitive people who feel their heart beat and often have other senses that are more acute than most others? NO
-How fast was it? Well all i felt was fast and pounding loud...
-Was it regular and strong? strong
-If you are a new diver do you need more instruction on how to clear your ears? NO
-Did you have a barotrauma to your ears? NO

Lilo

 

[scubabear]

Hi, my wife had similar symptoms once after using non-drowsy dramamine. Never used it again. Can be disconcerting to say the least.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Actually I really can't tell what was my heart rate was....When I started going down I was fine and had no problem equalizing......then I started feeling pain in my left ear and felt my heart pounding real fast and it wouldn't just go away...it made me real nervous since I never experienced this before. Im 41.... i don't know about my pulse...i didn't check

A couple questions:
-How did you know it was fast? Feel/hear it in your ears or head? (I felt my heart pound real fast)-Are you one of those sensitive people who feel their heart beat and often have other senses that are more acute than most others? NO
-How fast was it? Well all i felt was fast and pounding loud...
-Was it regular and strong? strong
-If you are a new diver do you need more instruction on how to clear your ears? NO
-Did you have a barotrauma to your ears? NO

Lilo

I'm sorry I wasn't more clear with my questions. They were intended to get you thinking about your specific physical and mental condition at the time so you could present a useful picture to your primary care provider. They were not intended to be all inclusive.

Nor were they intended to substitute for competent advise from someone who knows you, can see you and give you a proper examination including whatever testing is indicated.

The mere fact that whatever happened caused you this much concern is enough to consider not diving until after all exam and testing results are in and analyzed.

 

[lilo]

forgot one more thing.....i felt very tired and felt that i had to struggle get around while diving and was getting exhausted...

 

[lilo]

Could it be that I need to get in shape? I barely do exericse.....my height is 5'3 and I weigh 147 lbs....

Lilo

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

I agree with the others. This could have been an episode of what is known as SVT, an episodic increase in heart rate. My wife developed the same thing in her early forties. This doesn't sound like exertional tachycardia or else it wouldn't have struck you as so unusual as to abort a dive and post this message, Being 'out of shape' may be a problem, or it could be the type of rationalization we all make to avoid acknowledging we need to see a doctor. See a doctor, get an EKG. In the meantime, avoid caffeine and other stimulants. You might also check with DAN about the association of diving with heart rhythm problems.