HR jumped 40 BPM in 30 seconds?

Published Sep 29, 2011

3 Posts

I just learned about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and identified with many of the symptoms. I can't stand still for long (for instance, in a patient's room) with out getting dizzy and needing to sit down, I feel tired alot, have had some vaso-vagal responses to stressors......

Anyhoo, at my doc's office today I tried a little experiment. Sitting down my VS are perfect. 113/74, hr 75, 99%. Before the MA took off the pulse ox, I asked her if I could try something, and stood up. My hr jumped to 115 within 30 secs, settled at 105 after 1 minute. Sat back down, hr 80. 1 minute later stood up, hr at 105 w/in 30 seconds. Mentioned it to my doc, he seemed kind of unimpressed. "This is an autonomic disorder your describing? It may be worth looking into, but lets continue looking at your sleep (s/p a relatively normal sleep study). Will you keep a sleep log for a while and f/u in 3 wks?"

As a new(ish) RN I know I have a lot to learn. I'm wondering if he maybe doesn't know a lot about this syndrome and wants to research it before my next appt. It's a relatively new diagnosis from what I read.

My question is: what other explanation(s) can you think of for such a drastic increase in hr? I know it increases when we stand, but by 40 bpm?

I've looked into it and am not finding much. Any input is much appreciated.