One of my Mom's health issues is that her heart rate can be really low. When she went into the hospital the last time, her heart rate was in the 30s. Yes, that's right... my Mom's heart beats 35 beats per minute at times. For most people, their heart beats somewhere in the 60-70 beats per minute range. If you're an athlete, it's lower...maybe in the 50s. Not my Mom! Her's is ultra low!
Since I've been back in Chicago, we have done some things to get her heart rate higher. And she has had a heart rate in the mid to upper 40s or even low 50s for the past 6 months or so. But lately (in the past 4-6 weeks), her heart rate has started to decline again.
I have noticed that's Mom's energy is lagging. Now it's showing up in her heart rate. For the past several days now, Mom's heart rate has been in the high 30s... 37, 38, 39. But today, she's getting even lower readings 35, 37, 37. And since she is getting low readings, Mom is obsessed with taking her pulse. Every hour, she goes into a quiet room and takes her pulse. Then she announces it to the house, in general. "My pulse is 37." This has gone on since 11am.
Additionally, I needed to go to the grocery store today. Mom wanted to go with me. I didn't know why she'd want to come along until we were finished shopping and she asked if we could walk over to the pharmacy area so that she could sit at "the machine" and take her blood pressure and pulse rate. Aha! Now I know why she wants to come along! And, unfortunately, she got a reading of 37 for her pulse. UGH
I know that Mom is worried when she says things like "The last time I went into the hospital, my pulse was this low." Like she is warning me or something. Talk about worrying!!! I think I am getting paranoid. Every time I walk into the living room and see Mom napping in her chair, my heart starts to race. That's how my Father died... had a heart attack while sitting in his favorite chair in front of the television. Can my mind make this journey any more terrifying? Oh wait... I think I am developing hives! LOL
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