Concerned about a coworker on stimulants whose heart rate is 110

Nurses General Nursing

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So I am a new RN who started working 7p-7a. I asked some of my coworkers how they deal with the 12 hour night shifts and staying awake/focused. They gave me some fantastic tips about buying black out curtains, melatonin, etc and one mentioned that she takes a stimulant (prescribed of course- not illegally). She said that the only downside is that her HR is often around 90-115 because of it! I'm not looking for medical advice, but isn't this technically a huge cardiac risk? I doubt I will ever need stimulants, but I am just curious from a general health standpoint about the risks.

Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

My heart rate is usually somewhere from 105-115. Its been that way since I was a teen. I roll my eyes ever time I go to my Dr and her MA takes my vitals; they always leave the pulse oximeter on my finger and make me sit down, deep breathe, turn off the lights and ''relax''. After all of that my pulse may hit 98-99. Which is the number they chart, although it is definitely not the number I live my life at.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

My resting heart rate has been >100 for my entire 4 DECADES of nursing. I'm fine.

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Specializes in ER, PCU, UCC, Observation medicine.

Hi OP, as a new nurse you will learn so much more than what is in your textbook in the years to come. I'm assuming the stimulants the nurse is on only temporarily raises her HR which is normal (after all it is a stimulant). I would also mind one's business.

As you progress through your career, you will find on rare occasion some people who just live around 100-115, as some posters have already mentioned. You will learn there are exceptions to everything in medicine. These people usually have cardiologists, and get yearly ECHOs checking EF, LV, pressures, etc.

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One of the docs I work with recently found out how much coffee I drink on days I work and I look on his face was priceless.

Lots of my nursing school classes were on the top floor of a smallish university hospital, so I spent a lot of time drinking hospital cafeteria coffee. Like, a lot, because one day one of the very sweet and motherly cafeteria ladies took me aside and very gently expressed concern about my caffeine consumption. I thanked her for her concern and started bringing my own coffee to school :)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Is the medication Provigil? I took that when I worked nights, too.

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

Gosh. This is really quite serious. I think we need a surgeon to remove your nose from her business.

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Specializes in ED, psych.

My resting heart rate is usually 100-110 bpm. It's been like that for decades. And I'm pretty physically fit and sadly don't drink coffee (New Years resolution). Decent diet, go to the dr regularly, blah blah blah.

It's just me.

As in lots of things ... MYOB.

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

I know my previous post was snarky, but I want to explain my defensiveness.

People learning that someone takes a stimulant results in speculation and unfair disparagement. I usually am not shy about myself or my health, but I have to keep close to the vest anything that may cast any iota of a shadow of doubt. Never provide anything that will be used against you later, no matter how seemingly benign.

I do have a rhythm issue. I had to go on a beta blocker. I'm only 40. Every year for my insurance I have to defend that I do not have CAD (for whatever reason, that code was attached when I had the ECHO ordered when I went into SVT).

So, some of my coworkers or friends know I take it. And they know why, but only two know what else I take that falls under this category. My work doesn't suffer and I'm a very healthy person otherwise. In fact, I do drink caffeine but I know how much to limit it to and what I can safely tolerate.

So what if she is on a stimulant. She might need it to be able to perform better, legitimately.

Are you as concerned about any smoking coworkers' FEV1?

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I really didn't get that OP was being nosy or judgmental. Just wondering about the repercussions of a chronically high resting heart rate. I took this as a clinical question, not any kind of disparagement toward the coworker.

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My resting heart rate is 70-ish. Until I drink my usual 3 cups of coffee, then it's off to PVC town. Mmmmmmmmm, coffeeeeeeee. Dee-licious, heart-jumpy goodness in a cup. Yeehaw.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Per our terms of service, we can't provide medical advice - best wishes.

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