My DH has copd. Today, as he was checking his oxygen saturation level, he noticed that his heart rate was down around 50. It's usually up around 100 or so. It came right back up, but he started paying attention and it's been anywhere from 47 to 116 off and on all day, changing rapidly. What could this be? He doesn't want to go to the dr until after his next ct scan, which comes up in 2 weeks. Any opinions as to why it's doing this and what he can do about it are welcome.
Replied by Mama To Many (Tn) on 04/25/2018
Dear Anon from the Boonies,
Is your DH by any chance taking any medications for COPD? They can have side effects that affect the heart.
My mother in law has had COPD for at least a decade. They put her on a spiriva inhaler. At some point after that she started to have heart problems (atrial fibrillation) which is apparently a side effect of Spiriva. She also developed anxiety, another side effect from that (or perhaps another of medications).
So, one thing to check out would be medications and possible side effects.
Also, please check out the latest post about using plantain leaf tea for COPD - a very encouraging and amazing story.
~Mama to Many~
