OpenHealth Q&A

Your concern about understanding your heart-related results is valid, especially when it comes to your health. While your doctor stated that everything is normal and you are experiencing sinus rhythm, it’s entirely normal to feel anxious about medical findings that you don’t fully understand. Let’s break down the key points from your results and what you can do next.

Key Points from Your Results:

1. Heart Rate (96 bpm): This is slightly elevated, as a resting heart rate is typically between 60-100 bpm. In your case, it could be due to factors like stress, anxiety, or nicotine use.
2. PR Interval (114 ms): This is considered on the borderline of being short. A normal PR interval ranges from 120 to 200 ms. It may not indicate a serious issue but warrants monitoring.
3. QT/QTc Interval (326/389 ms): These values are within normal ranges, suggesting that your heart's electrical activity is functioning well.
4. QRS Duration (88 ms): This is also within a normal range, indicating that your ventricles are contracting properly.
5. Axis Measurements: Your P axis, QRS axis, and T axis are also within typical ranges.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Your Heart Rate: Pay attention to your heart rate during different activities (resting, light exercise, stress) to see if there are triggers that lead to an increase. Avoid nicotine as it can contribute to elevated rates and may cause other cardiovascular concerns.

2. Lifestyle Modifications:

   • Aim to incorporate more physical activity into your routine, as exercise can help improve heart health.
   • Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can also be beneficial.

3. Manage Anxiety: If anxiety about your health is affecting your day-to-day life, consider techniques such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, or speaking with someone supportive about your concerns.

4. Keep a Journal: Documenting how you feel, your heart rate, and any activities or stresses can help identify patterns. This can be useful for future discussions with your doctor.

5. Follow-Up with Your Doctor: If your anxiety persists or if you notice significant changes in your heart rate or other symptoms (like fatigue, dizziness, or chest pain), reach out to your doctor for further discussion. They can provide reassurances or further tests if necessary.

Remember, it’s important to take care of both your mental and physical health. Staying proactive and informed will help you feel more in control of your health. If you have further questions or specific concerns, feel free to ask!