I am twenty one years old and in good health. However, I consistently have high pulse (100 to 115)
I have normal blood pressure. I'm worried that it may be a serious problem. Should I seek medical attention or is it nothing? I don't drink coffee or achohol and I don't take drugs. Someone told me that these may cause high pulse. I do take claritin for allergies in the summer but my pulse is high during the school year also.
hacgirl,
Thanks for your question. The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60 - 100, which means you are a little high. I'm happy to hear that you avoid coffee, alcohol, and drugs, which both can affect the heart. Be sure to avoid other caffeine containing foods such as tea and chocolate.
In a young female such as you, two things come to mind that need further evaluation. One is the possibility of an overactive thyroid, which causes higher pulse rates. The other is anemia, especially in young females that might have heavy menstrual flow. Other issues to be considered are your weight and physical fitness. Heavy people tend to have higher pulse rates and the less "in shape" a person is, the higher their pulse is with any exertion.
Now that you've reached the magic number of 21 years old, I suggest you make an appointment with your primary care physician for a complete checkup. Certainly discuss these symptoms with him/her and ask him to run lab work that includes Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Chemistry panel, urinalysis, blood count, and thyroid studies. Getting an electrocardiogram would be another suggestion.
After your doctor's evaluation, he/she will be in a better position to tell you what might be going on, if anything.
Best wishes.
Martin Cane, M.D.
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Hello,Im not an expert but someone with past heart isues,I was having for about the last year alot of problems,bloop pressure going up and down,pulse going high then dropping a little,I just came back yesterday form Heart Dr.after having stress test the other week,to find out I have 2 cloged arteries,so on monday i go for double Heart Cath,Please from someone that's been there get your dr.to check things.I also have a low thyroid,and i was having alot of severe fatique which i couldnt figure out the cause I guess I did now.This is all after spendind at least over 1 Year telling my Dr.at my local VA Hosp.of different problems and he ignored everything,so i was forced to go to a Heart Dr.outside the VA system.Jim
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Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women
Identify possible symptoms sooner than later.
