BUT I want to think further than a reason to give medication and to recognize that the rapid heart rate is because the person is dying. Their body is trying to keep going even while it is shutting down. The body's defenses are doing whatever they can to keep the body functioning THAT is why there is a rapid heart rate.
There are physical signs of dying
Blood pressure gradually goes down and heart rate gets faster but weaker and eventually slows down. Fingers, earlobes, lips and nail beds may look bluish or light gray. A purplish or blotchy red-blue coloring on knees and/ or feet (mottling) is a sign that death is very near.
It is the heart and lungs that keep going until the very end. In the last few hours or days, the heartbeat becomes thin and very fast (120 beats a minute or more). Blood pressure is very low.
Irregular breathing, panting and periods of not breathing may occur. Changes in breathing are very common and indicate a decrease in circulation to the internal organs. While these changes are not usually bothersome to the patient, they can be distressing to family members. Elevating the head may provide relief.
This surge of energy is usually short, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and may occur one to two days prior to death. This is unique to each person, and not everyone will experience such a noticeable burst of energy. The dying person may experience increased: Appetite.
Depending on the nature of the illness and your loved one's circumstances, this final stage period may last from a matter of weeks or months to several years.
End-of-life transition refers to a person's journey to death, especially in those with a terminal diagnosis. This process occurs differently for everyone. For some, it takes days or weeks; for others, it occurs rapidly. Partnering with a trusted medical team during this time can limit pain.
In the final hours of life, your loved one's body will begin to shut down. Their circulatory and pulmonary systems will slowly begin to fail. This may lead to falling body temperatures, but may also cause sudden outbursts. Your loved one will also experience greater difficulty interacting with the outside world.
Consciousness fades. Often before death, people will lapse into an unconscious or coma-like state and become completely unresponsive. This is a very deep state of unconsciousness in which a person cannot be aroused, will not open their eyes, or will be unable to communicate or respond to touch.
Terminal restlessness generally occurs in the last few days of life.
Your loved one may become restless and pull on bed linens or clothing, hallucinate, or even try to get out of bed, due to less oxygen reaching their brain. Repetitive, restless movements may also indicate something is unresolved or unfinished in the person's mind.
What is End-Stage Heart Failure? Heart failure is a gradual weakening of the heart, which prevents the heart from pumping as well as it should. Over time, the condition causes other damage to the body. At first, the heart compensates for its weakness by changing: it may stretch, enlarge, and pump faster.
Agonal rhythm occurs shortly before death. A person experiencing agonal rhythm is no longer conscious, but reflexes in the brainstem are trying to keep them alive. Unfortunately, once a person's heart is in an agonal rhythm, death is imminent. But you can still comfort your loved one with kind words and loving touch.
Changes in breathing
You may develop Cheyne-Stokes breathing, when periods of shallow breathing alternate with periods of deeper, rapid breathing. The deep, rapid breathing may be followed by a pause before breathing begins again. Your breathing may also become more noisy as a result of the build-up of mucus.
As the moment of death comes nearer, breathing usually slows down and becomes irregular. It might stop and then start again or there might be long pauses or stops between breaths . This is known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing. This can last for a short time or long time before breathing finally stops.
Final Weeks of Life
Increase in the need to sleep, having to spend the large majority of the day in bed/resting. Difficulty eating or swallowing fluids. A decrease in the patient's ability to communicate and/or concentrate. A general lack of interest in things that used to interest them, and a strong feeling of apathy.
They are likely to spend more time sleeping, and will often be drowsy even when they are awake. They may also drift in and out of consciousness. Some people become completely unconscious for periods of time before they die - this could be for a short period or as long as several days.
The digestive and respiratory systems begin to shut down during the gradual process of dying. A dying person no longer wants to eat as digestion slows, the digestive track loses moisture, and chewing, swallowing, and elimination become painful processes.
The surge of energy before death lasts between a few minutes and several hours. This phenomenon typically occurs in the final days or hours of a person's life. A sudden increase in mental clarity, physical strength, or emotional expression marks it.
ES, also coined as premortem surge, terminal lucidity, or terminal rally, is a deathbed experience reported as a sudden, inexplicable period of increased energy and enhanced mental clarity that can occur hours to days before death, varying in intensity and duration (Schreiber and Bennett Reference Schreiber and Bennett ...
Although it can include end of life care, palliative care is much broader and can last for longer. Having palliative care doesn't necessarily mean that you're likely to die soon – some people have palliative care for years. End of life care offers treatment and support for people who are near the end of their life.
Others start to cry and feel as though they won't be able to stop. Some people become angry and scared. Or they feel numb, as though they have no emotions. These are all very common and natural reactions.
Palliative care is for anyone living with a serious illness at any stage, including the day of diagnosis, while end-of-life care is for the last few weeks or months of life. Palliative care is intended to help patients live more comfortably with their ongoing condition.