My Dad Is Having Heart Problems I Am Really Concerned

[gordiescotland1]

hi there my parents were away for a few days break down south last week and my dad woke mum up in the middle of the night saying his heart was racing, it was 140+ and irregular. Mum thought AF like I have. Mum has been a nurse all her life and she was concerned it settled down and he got home on Saturday and I went to see him and checked his pulse it was a normal rate but irregular 7/8 missed beats a minute. Mum took him to the doctor today and he said it was still quite irregular but not fast, he doesnt think its AF, he thinks it might be a problem with the chambers of the heart which sounds a bit worrying. He also checked his fingers for blood and he said it was taking a long time for blood to return. He has ordered a lot of blood tests and an ECG for tomorrow morning and he will get the results on Thursday. He was told 1 year ago he has borderline underactive thyroid.He is 79 normally fit and well you never expect anything to happen to your parents. Anybody any idea what this could be

[jourdain2]

Not really, but it sounds as if your Dad is getting the best professional treatment and, to be honest, it doesn't sound critical. Many people (me included) have irregular heartbeats, which worsen under stress. An underactive thyroid is easily dealt with, Mr. J2 takes a pill a day for it. So don't worry, professionals are on the ball. :)

[Cloverjo]

My dad also has similar symptoms sometimes, and is about the same age as your dad. He has had chronic heart problems since the age of 43, had bypass surgery and an aneurysm repair, and is still going strong somehow.

He has been advised to call an ambulance when he gets the high heart rate, so that he can be checked to see what's going on. Perhaps your dad should do that next time it happens. Best of luck. It's very worrying, I know.