I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: nee on June 07, 2007, 02:56:56 PM

Title: Unstable heart rate
Post by: nee on June 07, 2007, 02:56:56 PM

Hello All,

My Dad has been on HD for 7 yrs and he's 84 years old.

Normally his heart rate is a bit high, 83, but kinda stable (I mean it does not jump way up or way down).
However, for the recent 3-4 weeks, his heart rate has been erratic during treatments only. After the 1st hour, the pulse went to 60 from 84, then from 72 to 46 and stayed at 46-51 for the last hour of treatment (3 hour treatment).
Of course I'm so alarmed and took him to cardiologist. Ultrasound was not abnormal; "holter" monitor hookup showed erratic heart pulses during dialysis. So doctor said because of the chems in the machine, if his heart pulses were unusual during HD then that was not quite abnormal.
Well, this did not happen before !!!
Doctor also said if the pulse is as low as 42 and he feels okay, then he can continue to dialyse.
Does any of you know about this symptom?  please shed me some light - I dont feel comfortable about this at all.

Many thanks.
Nee

Title: Re: Unstable heart rate
Post by: keefer51 on June 07, 2007, 08:38:09 PM

Hi Nee, my name is keith. I have been on hemo for three years now. It's my second time. I have a high heart rate too. I am 51. The first time i was on dialysis i had no problem with my heart. I was 37. When i am hooked up on the machine my heart rate is 102 sometimes it goes higher and sometimes it goes lower. My bp fluctuates also. My heart skips a beat sometimes during dialysis. I take Labatdol for this and it has helped. Sometimes when i "crash" my heart starts to hurt real bad and they give me oxygen. Long term dialysis i am told can hurt the heart.

Title: Re: Unstable heart rate
Post by: Duane on June 08, 2007, 09:41:07 AM

appears ok for his age.

Title: Re: Unstable heart rate
Post by: nee on June 08, 2007, 10:01:12 AM

Hello,
Thank you both for your post.
However, like said, this fluctuation did not happen before but has just gone on now for a month.
I dont like his very low pulse, 44-48 that lasted for the whole last hour of treatment.
He takes ACTOS for his blood sugar and ACTOS was recently recalled.
I need to do more research and take more actions.
Nee

Title: Re: Unstable heart rate
Post by: okarol on June 08, 2007, 12:51:07 PM

Hi nee,
How's your dad's blood pressure?