Is anyone having or had trouble with high heart rate after chemo? I had my third chemo last Monday. Last night I had...
Ask Navis about your situation
This answer is general. Get one about your specific case. No signup, answered right here.
For informational purposes only
This answer was generated by AI grounded in NCCN guidelines and published medical literature. It is not medical advice. Always consult your oncologist or care team before making treatment decisions.
Sources & medical oversight
- Built by OpenCancer’s team of physician-scientists and cancer survivors.
- Last updated October 3, 2026. Informational only — not a substitute for your oncology team.
Question asked:
Is anyone having or had trouble with high heart rate after chemo? I had my third chemo last Monday. Last night I had a big scare with mine heart rate getting up to 166, my husband called the ambulance because it wasn’t going down, in the hospital all the labs came normal, they gave me fluids saying ...
I'm so glad you're okay and that you got immediate care—that must have been really frightening for both you and your husband. A heart rate of 166 is definitely alarming, and you did the right thing calling for help.
What you're experiencing is actually recognized as a potential side effect:
Certain chemotherapy drugs are known to cause heart-related issues, including tachycardia (elevated heart rate). This can happen during treatment or in the weeks following infusions. The good news is that your hospital labs came back normal, which is reassuring—it suggests your heart itself isn't damaged, but rather your body is having a reaction.
Why this happens:
- Some chemo drugs can affect the autonomic nervous system (which controls heart rate)
- Chemotherapy causes inflammation and stress on the body
- Dehydration is common after chemo and can trigger rapid heart rate
- The fluids they gave you address this directly—rehydration often helps normalize heart rate
What's important to know: The fact that your labs were normal is genuinely good news. However, you absolutely need to tell your oncology team about this episode before your next treatment. This is crucial information they need to have.
Questions to ask your oncology team:
- Which chemotherapy drug(s) am I receiving, and are any known to affect heart rate?
- Should I have cardiac monitoring before my next treatment?
- What warning signs should I watch for, and when should I seek emergency care?
- Do I need any heart function tests (like an EKG or echocardiogram) before continuing treatment?
- Are there any medications or preventive measures that could help?
In the meantime:
- Stay well-hydrated (as your hospital team recommended)
- Monitor your resting heart rate daily if possible
- Report any recurrence immediately to your oncology team or ER
- Keep a log of when episodes occur and what you were doing
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.
Your oncology team needs this information to make the best decisions about your ongoing care. You're doing great by advocating for yourself! 💙
Ask Navis about your case
That answer is general. Ask about your specific situation. No signup, answered right here.
Facing this with someone you love?
Keep the whole picture in one private place: records, a plain-language summary of where things stand, questions, and the people helping. Navis keeps it up to date so no one has to re-explain the story. Free, and only the people you invite can ever see it.
Start a care circle →Have your records handy? Upload them for a deeper, personalized analysis →
Related Questions
First chemo, days 11-12... my hair started shedding so much. Every time I brushed it, clumps fell out. Even just...
I'm sorry you're experiencing this—it's one of the hardest side effects to navigate emotionally, even though it's temporary. Let me explain what's hap
Hello, has anyone had Enhertu immunotherapy? I had my first round last week and I still feel horrible, been in bed...
I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly—that sounds really difficult. I want to help you understand what might be happening, but this situation needs immed
How beneficial is exercise while undergoing adt
Based on the webinar "Designing the Right Exercise Program for Your Cancer Situation" with Dr. removed Schmitz, here's what the evidence shows: The
How does radiation help eliminate ecDNA
Radiation damages the DNA in cancer cells, including ecDNA extra copies of DNA floating in cells, making it harder for cancer cells to survive and div
I got marked today for my upcoming radiation treatments. I don't know where I'm going to find the emotional strength...
I can hear that you're feeling anxious about what's ahead—that's completely normal. Let me help you understand what radiation marking involves and wha
Today is my very 1st treatment I'm nervous about the side effects
It's completely normal to feel nervous about your first treatment. Many patients experience this, and your care team is prepared to help you through i
Is it safe to run during prostate cancer treatment
This is a great question, and the short answer is: yes, running can generally be safe during prostate cancer treatment, but it depends on several fact
Can I do yoga during lymphoma treatment
Great question—many patients wonder about staying active during cancer treatment. Here's what you should consider: General Approach to Physical Acti