Emergency??? My pulse right now is 38. I'm home with my daughter and don't want to scare her...?

Question

My chest feels hollow with some pain but no"elephant", like I hear about. I'm sweating from just trying to write this. I'm 47, female, 125lbs and except for bad joints, in fairly okay health. Except for this. I'm afraid if I stand up, I will faint. Should I try to move around to get my pulse higher or just stay still until this passes. I feel terrible and I don't know what to do. My daughter has mono and bad tendonitis in her wrist with surgery in a week or so. I need to take care of her not vice versa. She's 14. Any suggestions on what I can do? Please help. I feel like the air has no oxygen in it.

I .only have insurance on my daughter. I can't afford an ER visit. Isn't there anything I can do without the drama? My pulse is up to 42, sort of. It's hardto feel it anywhere but my neck Can this reaaly be a heart attack. I don't look like the heart attacks on TV. I'm not tryng to sound stupid. I just can't fathom that THIS is a heart attack. I took some aspirin. Won't that help? Thank you for all your answers.

Julieanne,thank you for the more than Call 911. I did the breathing thing and I think it helped a bit, after the lighteaded passed. Clearly, I'm a under react kind of person. It takes bleeding out or a severed body part for me to freak. Unless its my kid. How long should I let this happen...the denial? I'm not foolish and I don't want to die or wait too long if I do need to see a doc. Its just with no insurance, a sick child, a 3 day holiday, tight finances and nobody to call for a helping hand, doing the ER thing seems like it wouldn't get me anywhere until Tues, anyway. My pulse is up to low 40's and I feel a little less hollow but I'm sweating quite a bit. I'm not expecting solutions so don't feel obligated or responsible. I appreciate the practical help very much. Do you know what symptoms I should look for to absolutely get help? Could this be a heart attack? Anxiety? Something else? I have no reference other than my kids computer, the one I'm using. Thanks

Dear Julianne, It's Saturday 1:33 pm and I feel sooo much better. I did what you said and actually, the more I moved around and did stuff, the better I felt. This is my daughter's computer, so she is the one with celiac disease. She has a laptop and it was just easier to use it sitting where I was. I don't nose in to personal stuff of the computer so it's a nice thing to know she's asking about her disease. I think I may have been having some kind of heart thing. It runs in my family and both my folks passed from heart problems. I'm going to seek medical advice soon. I had endocarditis a few years back and know that it has very long lasting implications. Your help was practical, calming and oh so greatly appreciated. Are you a med. professional? Or a counselor or writer, perhaps? Gifted, certainly. My heart goes out of whack at least once a week...low pulse or pain or skipping beats. I know I have to deal with it. But you nailed it. I have a huge case of denial.

Answer 1

calm down. its going to be okay. no, it's not normal, its very low, even for an athlete's pulse, just to give you straight answer, but because of your other symptoms, i highly recommend you call an ambulance. your daughter will be fine. just get yourself better so you can take care of her. i'm sure you'll be okay, but get yourself to a hostpital, okay? i wish you the best! = ] (and i don't think your having a heart attack.)


without the drama? lol. hate to tell you this, but the #3 sign of having a heart attack is denial.

This is NOT an insurance issue right now. You need to stay alive! But if you are not willing to go to the ER, try breathing steadily and heavily for 4 minutes, no interruptions, the oxygen could help, try to stay as calm as possible, and then check your pulse again.

I'm glad the breathing got your pulse up a bit.
Heart attacks in women are very different than in men. You probably didn't feel chest pain.
Did (or do you still) have ANY pain anywhere? Where?
Also, if there is nausea, the chance of it being a heart attack is higher. And they usually get worse after they start. And the aftermath in women is worse than in men.
I don't think that you should think about the money. It's your life your dealing with. Sorry I wasn't at my computer for the past couple of hours. I hope everything is alright! Gimme an update! = ]
I just looked at your other questions and saw you have celiac diasease. This may have something to do with this. It could be a siezure or anxiety attack. or both. i hav history with both, and they come in VARIOUS forms. Maybe look some of this up.

Answer 2

Call 911. You need to take care of yourself so you will be there for your daughter. I know the whole idea seems like a lot for a child to deal with, but I've had to do it before and my kids are sure glad I did. Go, call now!

Answer 3

I'd get to the doc ASAP. Your daughter will be more upset if you die. Call 911. Women have different heart attack symptoms than men.

Answer 4

Your having a heart attack call 911

Answer 5

Call a friend or neighbor to come over. Don't panic, just have someone drive you to the hospital. I would go get checked out if i were you!!! Call 911... Call your husband/baby's daddy. Better to be safe than sorry!

Answer 6

You can't take care of your daughter if you are incapacitated. Call 911 and they will check you out.

Answer 7

call 911

Answer 8

call 911 forget your daughter think about yourself. Im sure your daughter would be much more scared if something actually happens to you.

Answer 9

and you're posting this here?! Call a docotr, and THEN 911 if they try to make you wait around and all that bs

Answer 10

Maybe you got her mono. Is there anyone you could call to come over till you feel better.......friend or family?