Question 1

So, I've been keeping track of my heart rate and noticed that my resting heart rate is usually between 50 and 55 bpm. I'm a 20-year-old guy, relatively healthy, and Im about 6'2 tall, weighing 74 kg. When I do high-intensity interval training, my heart rate can spike up to 150-160 bpm. Is this normal for someone my age and build, or should I be concerned about these numbers?

Accepted Answer

A resting heart rate averaging around 50-55 bpm can be normal for a healthy 20-year-old male, especially if you are physically active or an athlete, as regular exercise often leads to a lower resting heart rate due to increased cardiovascular efficiency. Reaching a heart rate of 150-160 bpm during High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is also within normal ranges for vigorous exercise. However, if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or fainting, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure there are no underlying issues. Otherwise, your heart rate appears consistent with a healthy, active lifestyle.

Question 2

Is it really possible to have pulmonary artery hypertension even when the pulmonary artery looks normal and there's no turbulence? I'm just trying to wrap my head around how that can happen. Could there be underlying issues or does it indicate a different problem? I'm a bit concerned and just trying to understand why this might occur.

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible to have pulmonary artery hypertension even with normal pulmonary artery anatomy and no turbulence. In such cases, the hypertension may be due to other underlying factors such as inflammation, vasoconstriction, or other vascular abnormalities. Treatment for pulmonary artery hypertension may include medications such as Sildenafil (Revatio) or Tadalafil (Adcirca) to help relax the pulmonary arteries and improve blood flow. Dosage and duration of treatment should be determined by a healthcare professional.

Question 3

I'm feeling some chest and back pain that seems to move around my upper body, and it's been going on for about 4-5 months now. I've done a bunch of tests like an endoscopy, throat scope, and both ECG and a 2D echo, and they all came back normal. I'm just curious, could this be related to something like variant angina? And do painkillers even help with angina pain?

Accepted Answer

based on your symptoms and normal test results, it is possible that you may be experiencing variant angina, also known as Prinzmetal's angina. Variant angina is a type of chest pain caused by coronary artery spasm, which can lead to temporary narrowing or constriction of the coronary arteries. For variant angina, painkillers like nitroglycerin can help relieve the chest pain by relaxing and dilating the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. Nitroglycerin is commonly prescribed for angina and is available in various forms such as sublingual tablets or spray. The usual dosage is 0.3 to 0.6 mg sublingually as needed for chest pain. It is important to follow up with a cardiologist for further evaluation and management of your symptoms.

Get yourself examined by a doctor at the earliest.

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