resting heart rate 110, 54yrs female is this ok

Sheila,

Thanks for your question.  The textbook normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest.  As you can see, your rate is higher than normal.

Many situations can affect your heart rate, and in view of your strong family history of heart disease, you should see your doctor.  I would start with your primary care physician who will evaluate your cardiac situation as well as look for other causes of elevated pulse rates.

A very common cause (especially females) is overactive thyroid, so be sure your doctor looks for signs of this, as well as obtaining blood work to check your thyroid hormone levels.  Other causes, such as infection, anemia, medication, abnormal heart rhythms, and lung disease will also be checked by your doctor.

Though your cardiologist said your chest pain was stress related, you mentioned that you have taken nitroglycerine.  With your family history of heart disease and chest pain requiring nitro, it might also be time to re-evaluate your coronary artery status with a stress test.  Be sure to ask your physician about this.

Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.