Is a Heart Rate of 90 Beats Per Minute Cause for Concern?
Age: 20 While I’m at rest, my heart continues to beat at 90 bpm. I wasn’t aware that it was elevated until I checked my watch. Throughout this week, I’ve been experiencing discomfort in my chest and back. Should I consider going to the emergency room? Is this a serious issue? Typically, my resting heart rate is in the 60s and I’m just sitting here, trying to relax.
Answers (1)
3/22/2025, 11:00:39 PM
OpenHealth AI
A resting heart rate of 90 beats per minute (bpm) can be higher than the typical range for someone your age, especially if your usual rate is in the 60s. The discomfort in your chest and back is concerning, especially when combined with the elevated heart rate. It's important to prioritize your symptoms and understand what they might indicate.
Explanation: An increase in heart rate (tachycardia) can happen for many reasons, such as anxiety, caffeine intake, dehydration, or medical conditions affecting the heart or lungs. The addition of chest discomfort raises the urgency to assess these symptoms. It’s important not to ignore these signs, as they can sometimes indicate more serious issues, particularly if the pain feels unusual for you or if it worsens.
Next Steps:
-
Manage Symptoms: Sit down in a comfortable position. Try deep, calming breaths to help relax your body. Avoid any stimulants like caffeine or nicotine.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Note any changes in your symptoms, particularly if the chest discomfort worsens or if you experience shortness of breath, dizziness, or if you start sweating excessively. Also, observe if your heart rate fluctuates significantly.
-
Seek Immediate Care: Given your symptoms of chest discomfort combined with an elevated heart rate, it’s wise to consider visiting an emergency room or urgent care. It’s better to be cautious and get evaluated by a healthcare professional who can perform the necessary tests to rule out any serious conditions.
Please take care of yourself and prioritize addressing your symptoms. Your health is important.
Related Questions
Seeking Assistance for Unexplained Symptoms
Hello, I’m a 15-year-old female, weighing 48.5 kg and standing at 162 cm tall, residing in Germany. At present, I’m looking for medical advice. My current medication status is none, and I have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). For the past seven months, I have been grappling with significant physical symptoms that have been largely dismissed as psychosomatic. In early 2023, I began experiencing an increased heart rate accompanied by dizziness, headaches, and episodes of near-fainting when I transition from sitting or lying down to standing. By July 2025, I noticed a gradual loss of appetite. Initially, it was mild, but it quickly escalated to a point where I no longer had any desire to eat. Once I did eat, I frequently felt nauseous, particularly with solid food, which caused painful stomach cramps and bloating. I lost around 4 kg over the initial months of these symptoms. Regrettably, my condition did not improve; it worsened, as I also experienced similar discomfort after consuming liquids. The only things I managed to take without significant pain were thicker fluids, such as drinkable yogurt and smoothies, but now even those are difficult for me. In September, I had a moderate depressive episode, for which I received psychotherapy and a prescription for Fluoxetine (20 mg). However, the medication induced severe side effects, including heightened nausea, drowsiness, muscle cramps, and weakness. My psychiatrist decided to discontinue the treatment abruptly, tapering off very quickly—after just two days at 10 mg daily, followed by 10 mg every other day for three days. One day, I became unresponsive and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, but no thorough examinations were conducted. While I was at school on October 11, I felt extremely fatigued, struggling to keep my eyes open. My condition deteriorated over the next couple of days, and by the 14th of October, I was unable to attend classes anymore. I began to experience severe fatigue along with muscle and joint pain, and general body aches. Despite sleeping extensively, my symptoms remained unchanged. I developed a significant intolerance to exertion, as even minimal activities like a brief 10-minute walk or sitting still for over an hour would lead to these overwhelming “crashes,” accompanied sometimes by a migraine or feelings of illness lasting 12 to 48 hours. Since mid-January 2026, I have been suffering from severe dizziness that sometimes prevents me from standing or walking normally. I have also experienced visual disturbances, like seeing dots in my left peripheral vision, and frequent facial numbness without relief. I was admitted to a psychosomatic unit, which only exacerbated my condition, putting me into a constant state of distress. I endured a prolonged migraine status for five days, which thankfully resolved gradually without any medical intervention. Many of my other days feel akin to being ill with the flu or suffering from poisoning. Whenever I discuss my symptoms with doctors or nurses, they attribute everything to either depression or a somatoform disorder, despite my persistent assertions that I do not feel depressed. I find the hospital I am at quite unfavorable. Previously, when I sought treatment for mesenteric lymphadenitis, they provided a placebo, insisting everything was psychological despite my existing diagnosis. I have undergone numerous tests, including a head MRI, endoscopy, ECG, echocardiogram, and various blood analyses. The MRI results were unremarkable, and the endoscopy showed no abnormalities. Both the ECG and echocardiogram returned normal results, and my blood work did not reveal much either, aside from a few slightly abnormal levels, which are listed below: - Vitamin B2: 333 - Vitamin B6: 76.3 - Vitamin A: 0.93 - Vitamin E: 32.0 - DAO: 5 - Histamine Degradation Ability: 34% - Ferritin: 19 - IgG: 192 - SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: positive - Albumin: 0.75 - Neutrophils: 66% - Lymphocytes: 9.9% - Leukocytes: 4,000 - Monocytes: 3.3 - Eosinophils: 12 - Basophils: 4.4 - Absolute Neutrophils: 0.3 None of these results appear alarming. I have also performed an Active Standing test myself, leading to the following averages: - Lay down Average Heart Rate: 75 bpm - Lay down Average Blood Pressure: 90/60 mmHg - Standing Average Heart Rate: 127 bpm - Standing Average Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg I am desperately seeking insight regarding my symptoms and would greatly appreciate any help or guidance on what might be happening.
Advice Needed on Possible Heart Condition (ASD)
Greetings everyone, I am a 27-year-old individual. Towards the end of 2022, a preliminary 2D echocardiogram raised concerns regarding a potential Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Consequently, I underwent several follow-up echocardiograms and treadmill tests throughout 2023 and 2024. Fortunately, all results returned to be normal, and subsequent assessments indicated no structural issues with my heart. I also had a thorough evaluation at Apollo Hospital, which yielded normal findings as well. Later, during a consultation at Manipal Hospital, I was informed that the symptoms I am experiencing might be linked to anxiety or excessive worrying. Additionally, my lab tests revealed elevated levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, which fall into the prediabetic category. Currently, I do not experience chest pain, but I Continue to suffer from palpitations and a fast heartbeat, particularly when engaging in physical activities like climbing stairs. Despite receiving normal cardiac evaluations, these troubling symptoms persist, leading me to wonder if ASD has truly been dismissed or if I should consider further testing. I would appreciate any guidance on this matter.
Should I Request a Heart Evaluation from My Doctor?
**Personal Details**: 24 years old, no medications or substances, no existing health diagnoses, non-smoker, non-drinker, maintaining a healthy weight and height, engaging in regular physical activity. **Context**: During my time at university, I resolved to overcome my previous disinterest in academics and poor performance in school by adopting a comprehensive approach. This included selecting a challenging major, crafting a plan to finish my degree two years ahead of schedule, aiming for nothing less than As on exams, and ensuring my relationships with family and friends remained intact. However, my dedication to this plan resulted in significant stress. As I invested more time and energy into my studies, my anxiety about potential failure, looming deadlines, chaotic group projects, and unrelated personal issues escalated. Ultimately, this manifested as complications with my heart and blood pressure. What is most alarming is how I became accustomed to these health changes and dismissed the warning signs. I neglected to seek help from doctors or consider treatment options, essentially ignoring the symptoms entirely. **Health Issues Faced**: 1. **Heightened Sensitivity to Adrenaline**: Simply walking outside among people and traffic triggered noticeable spikes in my blood pressure. Roughly every thirty seconds, I experienced tingling in my abdomen, followed by a surge of pressure in my neck and a momentary slowing of my heart to manage the influx of blood pressure. Over the course of an hour, these occurrences added up, leading to possibly hundreds of episodes over days and months—quite concerning. 2. **Palpitations**: While this was not a constant occurrence, when it did manifest, it lasted for one to two weeks at a time. I would feel my heart racing, even during moments of rest at home. This would happen several times a day, persistently from morning until night. 3. **Elevated Heart Rate**: This was a continuous issue; my resting heart rate frequently soared into the 90s, even while sitting quietly. It often felt as though I was exerting effort, akin to physical activity, though I remained still. 4. **Chronic Tension and Sleep Disruption**: I dealt with ongoing feelings of tightness and inadequate sleep, at times leading to strange waking perceptions, such as seeing geometric shapes on surfaces upon waking. While not directly related to the previous issues, this level of sleep deprivation is undoubtedly harmful to one's health. These issues persisted for approximately two and a half years, but I have since regained my health. Nonetheless, I can't shake the feeling that I may have compromised my cardiovascular health due to these symptoms, which is why I am contemplating a heart evaluation with my doctor. I sought the opinion of an AI, which seemed dismissive, suggesting that given my situation and assuming no hidden health conditions, long-term damage was unlikely—perhaps even impossible. However, I would rather hear insights from healthcare professionals, so I'm reaching out for advice. Please share your thoughts!
Concerns About Ear Irrigation at the Pediatrician's Office for My Son
Summary: Can using a spray-type irrigation for ear wax removal harm a five-year-old? My child had a extreme reaction and experienced significant pain during and shortly after the procedure. I have a five-year-old son who suffers from severe allergies to both foods and environmental factors, alongside eczema which is mostly controlled. He takes Famotidine to manage reflux and a daily children's multivitamin, but does not regularly take any other medications. He has no history of surgeries. Although he has consulted with an ENT in the past, I don’t believe this is particularly relevant to the current situation, yet I will provide details later. During a recent well-visit at the pediatrician's office for five-year-olds, my son struggled with the hearing test, which marked the first time he did not perform well. In this examination, he wore headphones that emitted various beeps and was supposed to indicate which ear he heard the sounds from. The staff expressed concerns regarding his performance on the left side. As our assigned provider, the Physician's Assistant (PA) examined his ear and noted the presence of wax, suspecting it might be impeding his hearing. When she attempted to use a plastic curette, my son resisted and stated that it hurt. The PA remarked that the wax was harder than she anticipated, leading her to opt for an irrigation method to remove it. The nurses proceeded to administer some red-tinted drops, which he tolerated other than their cold temperature. A few minutes later, he laid down, and they used a spray bottle to irrigate his ear. At this point, he screamed as though we had never experienced before—he fought against the staff and cried intensely, even holding his breath to the extent that they needed to remind him to breathe. His reaction was reminiscent of when he has sustained a severe injury, such as from a significant fall. His cries of pain made it clear that he was genuinely suffering. After only a few moments, they decided to halt the procedure, presumably realizing that his discomfort was not an act of dramatization, and I was on the verge of stopping them myself due to my rising concern. When he eventually settled down, I inquired about the nature of his pain: whether it was a hot or burning sensation, a sting from the cold water, or a feeling of pressure in his ear. He communicated that it felt like it was going to burst inside, which suggests pressure-related pain. The irrigation attempt did not fully clear the wax they noticed. Now they are recommending that we use Debrox drops daily combined with a warm washcloth pressed against his ear after a steamy bath each night. We are to return in two weeks to check if the wax has been successfully removed and to retest his hearing. Though he appears to be okay now, he is visibly upset due to the discomfort from the procedure, especially since he had begged them to stop. He has also mentioned a sensation of water still being trapped in his ear and has been tilting his head intermittently as if it bothers him. This all transpired today right after the irrigation session. Could the forceful spraying of water have caused any damage to his eardrum, especially considering the intensity of his screams? I have previously experienced a perforated eardrum and am anxious about the potential harm this procedure may have inflicted on him. We avoid using Q-tips and inserting anything into his ears. What preventive measures should we adopt routinely to avoid wax buildup? This marks the second instance of noticeable wax at his pediatric visits, despite him bathing daily. I am puzzled as to why only one side is accumulating wax. Last year, the first attempt at wax removal was successful using a curette. ENT Background: At age three, my son was having trouble sleeping. An ENT suggested a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, although there were no other alarming symptoms to justify the surgery besides his restlessness at night. We sought a second opinion, where the new ENT indicated that while his tonsils appeared fine, his adenoids were mildly enlarged and might be beneficial to remove. However, due to COVID-19 and RSV, the surgery was postponed twice, leading us to reconsider the necessity of the operation. Given that he is now sleeping better, we have yet to pursue surgery thus far. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this lengthy account!
Experiencing Heart Pounding After Stopping Sudafed: Is It Cause for Concern?
At 24 years old, I've been experiencing a sensation that my heart is racing as if it's about to burst. This all started after I was dealing with a severe sinus infection and decided to take Sudafed extended-release tablets for six consecutive days. Ever since I discontinued the medication, my heart feels as though it's beating excessively hard, reminiscent of a fight-or-flight response. Should I be alarmed by this change, or could it possibly be a side effect from the Sudafed I had been using?