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
Has anybody that takes Arimidex hormone therapy ever had a dosage reduction? I can’t handle these side effects.
Yes, dosage reductions for Arimidex are definitely something that happens in clinical practice, and it's an important conversation to have with your o
NED Hello, Just wondering if anyone here who took or is taking tagrisso was ever NED after progression? Waiting for...
I can hear the anxiety in your message—waiting for scan results is genuinely stressful. Let me provide some educational context that might help while
My mom just had to shave her head (breast cancer - chemo and radiation). She is looking for lightweight head...
I appreciate you looking out for your mom during this challenging time! While head coverings aren't really my area of expertise I focus on helping und
For all the ladies who have had a mastectomy…did you go straight to implant or have DEIP reconstructive surgery?...
I appreciate you reaching out, and I can tell this is an important decision you're considering! 💕 However, I should be transparent about what I am:
Over the past year I’ve developed drenching night sweats and enlarged lymph nodes in my neck and collarbone that can...
I'm sorry you're going through this uncertainty. Let me help you understand what's happening and what to expect. Your symptoms and findings: - Night
So home health agency was recommended to a loved one after a 14 day stay in the hospital,,, we don’t understand home...
I can hear the frustration and concern in your message. It sounds like there was a confusing interaction with the home health agency, and you're tryin
Has anyone dealt with someone who just doesnt sleep. We've been doing 5 days a week radiation and twice weekly chemo...
I'm hearing real exhaustion and concern in your message—both for your loved one and likely for you as a caregiver. Sleep disruption during cancer trea
Been in the hospital since Saturday. His symptoms of chemo neurotoxicity are getting worse. He was put on a feeding...
I can hear how frightened you are, and that's completely understandable. Watching your husband go through this is incredibly hard. Let me address what