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Anesthesiology/low heart rate following general anesthesia
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Question
I had a d & c yesterday under general anesthetic. The
nurse came in after my procedure and asked if I have an
abnormally low heart rate. I had noticed on the monitor
that it was 48 which I thought was strange. It's normally
in the 60's or 70's depending on how fit I am. It did go
up and they released me. I was a little drowsy and didn't
think to ask them about it again...
Hi there
This is not unusual and isn't a problem. You probably do have a low resting heart rate anyway and many anaesthetics do tend to slow your heart down a bit.
Don't worry about it - in general a slow heart rate is good.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson
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Answers by Expert:
Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based
Expertise
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist in the UK. My interests include ambulatory or day surgery, obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia, acute pain management (use of epidurals and patient controlled analgesia)anaesthesia for surgery on the airway, orthopaedics and most things except brains and hearts. Interest in prehospital care of trauma and provision of medical cover at motorsport events.
Experience
Organizations
European Society of Regional Anaesthesia
British Association of Day Surgery
Obstetric Anaesthetists Association
Association of Anaesthetists
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