Why is my heart rate so slow?
Discussion
As always, there can be multiple reasons.
Anything below around 60bpm can be a heart problem called Bradycardia, iirc.
I also sit at about 42-44bpm, which is not explained by my level of fitness, which is OK, but not that OK. I have been tested for this and will look at my notes for the medical description when I get home, but was told it is no problem, and is simply a "misfire" which distorts my pulse rate count.
I'm not completely convinced, but am completely healthy otherwise. I simply don't get sick, but that also can be a sign that your body can't put itself into a fever to combat infection, which is not such a good thing.
I don't think I've really helped, but ultimately you will have to get a diagnosis if simply for peace-of-mind. This will involve wearing a heart-rate measuring device for 24hrs and making notes of when you have periods of activity/inactivity.
42bpm is too low, so you must get it checked one way or the other.
Anything below around 60bpm can be a heart problem called Bradycardia, iirc.
I also sit at about 42-44bpm, which is not explained by my level of fitness, which is OK, but not that OK. I have been tested for this and will look at my notes for the medical description when I get home, but was told it is no problem, and is simply a "misfire" which distorts my pulse rate count.
I'm not completely convinced, but am completely healthy otherwise. I simply don't get sick, but that also can be a sign that your body can't put itself into a fever to combat infection, which is not such a good thing.
I don't think I've really helped, but ultimately you will have to get a diagnosis if simply for peace-of-mind. This will involve wearing a heart-rate measuring device for 24hrs and making notes of when you have periods of activity/inactivity.
42bpm is too low, so you must get it checked one way or the other.
Interesting thread. I too have worried mine is too low, but I'm fairly active, 10000 steps a day, cycling to work several times a week and some running, despite being a bit fat. My average for the last year is 48.
Any need for concern? I actually ended up in hospital the other day (unrelated) and the medics commented on my good HR and blood pressure.
Any need for concern? I actually ended up in hospital the other day (unrelated) and the medics commented on my good HR and blood pressure.
Edited by S100HP on Wednesday 6th February 10:30
Bit of a hublebraggy topic but I'll bite.
Would imagine the stroke volume sticks with you for a while. I got my resting while awake down to the mid 30's when doing a lot of riding in 2017 and before. So would imagine down near 30 when asleep (never tracked it).
I've done f
k all for the last year and just measured it now, after a coffee this morning and its 44. So I suppose it just stays with you for a while. I also drank a bottle of wine last night, so we can assume that it probably should be a bit lower if not hungover. Just one of those things I would imagine, it is a muscle aint it.
Would imagine the stroke volume sticks with you for a while. I got my resting while awake down to the mid 30's when doing a lot of riding in 2017 and before. So would imagine down near 30 when asleep (never tracked it).
I've done f
k all for the last year and just measured it now, after a coffee this morning and its 44. So I suppose it just stays with you for a while. I also drank a bottle of wine last night, so we can assume that it probably should be a bit lower if not hungover. Just one of those things I would imagine, it is a muscle aint it.I had a health check for work and got the chest x-ray and heart monitor. He did it twice as I was 47 and diagnosed me with bradycardia. So I bought the Fitbit heart rate monitor and sure enough, it's low, 39 being the lowest when sleeping, but resting usually around 42. I've got over it now, but I was worried about it for a while.
I've been weight training for years so wondered if Id got an enlarged heart or something.
I'm 42, 5ft 10, 205lbs.
I've been weight training for years so wondered if Id got an enlarged heart or something.
I'm 42, 5ft 10, 205lbs.
Captain Smerc said:
I've got a resting rate in the low to mid thirties , I'm 50 ish... 5ft 9 & fairly slim . I've been recommend for a pace maker as it's been recorded dropping to the mid twenties when put on a monitor over night . How low can you go ... ?
If you don't do any exercise, and to get to that level for a normal person would require a lot, then its clearly worth taking the medical advice in that case.
Captain Smerc said:
I've got a resting rate in the low to mid thirties , I'm 50 ish... 5ft 9 & fairly slim . I've been recommend for a pace maker as it's been recorded dropping to the mid twenties when put on a monitor over night . How low can you go ... ?
We have a winner 
Why are you waiting ? It seemed to me that having a pacemaker fitted wasn't such a big risk these days?
S100HP said:
Interesting thread. I too have worried mine is too low, but I'm fairly active, 10000 steps a day, cycling to work several times a week and some running, despite being a bit fat. My average for the last year is 48.
Any need for concern? I actually ended up in hospital the other day (unrelated) and the medics commented on my good HR and blood pressure.
Looks familiar. Interesting to see what having man flu does (this month)Any need for concern? I actually ended up in hospital the other day (unrelated) and the medics commented on my good HR and blood pressure.
Edited by S100HP on Wednesday 6th February 10:30
My resting heart rate is usually in the high 30s so presume gets a bit lower than that while I'm asleep. After a few weeks of doing diddly squat exercise due to illness it's still exactly the same. Just as the '220 minus age' thing is a load of cobblers when it comes to ascertaining an individual's max heart rate, 'anything under 60 is slow' is just as meaningless a generalisation when it comes to RHR.
I used to cycle 200-250 miles a week, most of it off-road. Apart from damaging my back, it also brought my pulserate down to the low 50s, and sometimes lower.
I occasionally felt a bit dizzy when standing up quickly after a period sitting, but it was hardly a problem.
I've had to give up cycling because of back injuries, and my pulse has increased steadily to the high 60s, this after 5 years or so, and 12 years after cycling all weathers.
My pulse rate has been commented on by a couple of doctors when I've been tested for other stuff, but they've not suggested I should have done anything about it.
I occasionally felt a bit dizzy when standing up quickly after a period sitting, but it was hardly a problem.
I've had to give up cycling because of back injuries, and my pulse has increased steadily to the high 60s, this after 5 years or so, and 12 years after cycling all weathers.
My pulse rate has been commented on by a couple of doctors when I've been tested for other stuff, but they've not suggested I should have done anything about it.
Terminator X said:
I know that watches are not 100% accurate but assuming roughly so my average resting heartbeat over 12 months is 53 bpm.
TX.
No, but you'd hope they were accurate within their own limits.TX.
Interestingly, a friend had a "cardiac event" recently and the consultant at UCLH said they give Apple Watches about 4% tolerance against their own equipment!
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