I went to the doctor's this morning to talk to him about my high heart rate. I got some blood drawn to see if perhaps it was my thyroid that was causing my ticker to run faster than normal (this morning's rate was 115 in case you're interested).
My thyroid levels are normal. So we can rule out hyperthyroidism. My cholesterol is normal - 177 overall, and triglycerides are at 77.
So, it's not hyperthyroidism or cholesterol that's causing the tachycardia.
Basically, we're not sure what it is. So, I'm going to have to see a cardiologist. By the time the referral gets authorized, by the time I've called and got an appointment with a civilian cardiologist.....it'll be February or March.
In the meantime, I'm supposed to be taking it easy and not doing anything high impact or strenuous. Here's the thing, though - there's a possibility that my heart rate is high because I'm out of shape. Not being able to exercise in months will do that for a person. If that's the case, then the best way to get my resting heart rate down is to exercise, right? Right. But I've been told not to do that because I have a high resting heart rate. So, I'm caught between a rock and a hard spot. Do I exercise in the hopes that doing so will bring my heart rate down? Or do I sit on my ass and wait to see the cardiologist so he can maybe tell me 'Ms F, your heart rate is high because you're out of shape. You need to start getting more exercise.' ?
Then again, if there IS something wrong with my heart, exercising and pushing my heart rate up could cause me some serious problems. Like my heart could tire itself out and simply cease to beat. Which would kill me.
I promised that if I had any other symptoms, like chest, neck or arm pain, shortness of breath or fainting and dizzy spells that I'd go straight to the ER. I don't think that's going to happen, but you can bet your ass that if I have ANY symptoms like that I'll be at the hospital like a shot.
To summarize, they don't know what's wrong with me, but they're sure that SOMETHING'S not right. My poor little heart could be broken. It could just be tired. It's wiring might be messed up. Or, it could be out of shape and in need of some exercise.
Looks like we'll have to wait until next year to find out.