Elevated Heart Rate and BP on Extended Fast?

#1

This is my first post and I’m hoping to get some insight into why my heart rate is elevated while fasting. I have researched here and on the web and can’t seem to find anyone talking about a rapid heart rate. I am on Day 15 of an extended fast with an undetermined stop point. I am not hungry and other than a heart rate that wants to be in the 90’s and up over 100 if I move, I feel great. It does go back down below 100 and doesn’t stay at a high rate. As I’m sitting here typing this, my heart rate is 94.

I’m having coffee in the morning with 2 TBS cream, bone broth once or twice a day with pastured butter, water, of course, and I’m taking Keto Living’s KetoEssentials Multi Vitamins, Vitamin D3, Ubiquinol (CoQ10), Mega-Mag liquid vitamins and eating Pink Salt as Megan Ramos has suggested. I have energy (a ton of it), but did notice a few days ago when my heart seemed to be pounding, that my energy was a bit low. In fact, I considered breaking my fast, but felt really good the next day. Yesterday was Mother’s Day and I did well not eating, had energy, but my heart would pound at different times. My normal resting heart rate is in the mid 70’s to 80’s. Should I be worried or is this normal? Should I stop the fast?

My blood glucose has been in the 60’s and low 70’s and my ketones 4.6 as measured by PrecisionXtra. My BP is right now, 148/92. I’ve been on Atenolol prior but stopped taking it when I went Keto because my BP seemed to have regulated itself. It’s been fairly high these past few days and I’m thinking I might start back up but really don’t want to.

I also should say I was Keto Adapted before starting the fast and haven’t experienced any trouble fasting. If I feel at all hungry, I drink water and it immediately goes away so I’m chalking that up to a bit of dehydration and needing more water. I have fasted before for 5 days and did the lemonade diet fast (before I knew better) for 10 days. I’ve also juice fasted for 10 days before (all last year, and again, before I knew better). I honestly don’t have trouble fasting.

Thank you for any replies and suggestions. It would put my mind at ease to know of other’s experiences.

Sept. 2018 IF / EF Chat ALL WELCOME
(eat more) #2

are you supplementing electrolytes (specifically sodium) while fasting?
i think it’s common to have elevated heart rate when there is a sodium deficit

(G. Andrew Duthie) #3

My HR tends to go down on extended fasts, which I attribute to when I get to the point where circulating energy drops, and my body has to rely on what it can get from fat, or what I put in if I’m doing a fat supplemented fast.

Resting HR also goes down if I am getting enough sleep, and up if I’m not. I’ve not experienced my HR going up while fasting.

For me, BP is pretty strongly correlated with salt intake and hydration.

#4

Thanks for the input! I did take some salt but got a little freaked and took an Atenolol. I will keep monitoring throughout the day and see how it goes, staying hydrated and listening to my body. My heart rate has already gone down a bit to 78, but I’m sitting and working, no exercising…just a lot of work stress! Uggh

#5

I’ve been using premier research labs pink salt but perhaps not enough.

(Greg Vance) #6

I had the same issue, my understanding is the low blood glucose and hunger stress causes elevated cortisol. I was told by Dr Wortman that you become adapted to this over time, I did not on several 3 day fasts over a year but I did not worry about it after he said that, and worrying makes it worse. You can check rogue fitness for some autophagy boosters/inducers while fasting, like niacinamide. As for electrolytes think you should consider more than just sodium, not sure what the ideal balance for you, or current loading balancing with calcium, potassium, magnesium ?? Tricky those electrolytes, but your bone broth should help.

#7

Thanks for the interest. I ended my fast after 19 days mostly because I had some upcoming social situations. I did give in to the Atenolol and kept up with it fairly regularly and my BP and heart rate stayed lower. I am taking calcium, potassium and magnesium now too. I maintained my 16 pound weight loss through the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, but ate birthday cake and some other non-keto food items, mostly chocolate, while enjoying the holiday with family and friends. My blood sugar went through the roof (as I knew it would) and I began a 5 day egg fast just this Tuesday. I’m on Day 3 and feel great. I’ve dropped 3 pounds and look forward to the next 2 days to see my blood sugar go down along with the scale.

I’ve just been reading today on Marty Kendall’s site, optimisingnutrition.com more about insulin and using your blood glucose monitor to track hunger and eating only when your blood glucose is less than your 7 day average. Anyway, I continue to learn more and try new things to keep the weight off I have already lost and continue to perhaps lose 10 - 15 more pounds. My biggest goal is maintenance and controlled eating resulting in lower blood glucose (and insulin) so as not to regain weight!

(Elle) #8

As you probably know, Atenolol is a beta blocker which will bring heart rate down as well as blood pressure. Your heart rate likely increased due to you stopping your beta blocker. As a student nurse, I really recommend you consult with your doctor before stopping such a medication. There are risks associated with coming off it in the wrong way. Take care of yourself.

#9

Good advice about meds.

My cardiologist is a big believer in low carb and fasting. Amen. However, he does NOT want me to get off my beta blocker, antiarhythmia and cholesterol meds during a fast. I had a heart attack 15 years ago and he feels like don’t mess with what is working. Stay hydrated and maintain electrolytes is his recommendation.

Too many people try to out think their docs.

(Elle) #10

Bless you Ben, I hope you are able to maintain your heart health well and that it doesn’t cause you too much trouble day to day. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things.
God bless.

(Katarina) #11

In addition to salt, magnesium and potassium are also important electrolytes while fasting (and not fasting).