What's a good heart rate?
Discussion
so i've got one of these daft things on my phone that measures my heart rate now.
What would you consider a normal resting heart rate to be. I've been looking around the net and most people seem to say a 60-75bpm resting heart rate is normal for a 30ish year old male.
i've measured mine over a few days, and it's always around the 38-40bpm mark. seems worryingly low to me!
What would you consider a normal resting heart rate to be. I've been looking around the net and most people seem to say a 60-75bpm resting heart rate is normal for a 30ish year old male.
i've measured mine over a few days, and it's always around the 38-40bpm mark. seems worryingly low to me!
Efbe said:
so i've got one of these daft things on my phone that measures my heart rate now.
What would you consider a normal resting heart rate to be. I've been looking around the net and most people seem to say a 60-75bpm resting heart rate is normal for a 30ish year old male.
i've measured mine over a few days, and it's always around the 38-40bpm mark. seems worryingly low to me!
That seems very low, I'd go see the Doc see what he says.What would you consider a normal resting heart rate to be. I've been looking around the net and most people seem to say a 60-75bpm resting heart rate is normal for a 30ish year old male.
i've measured mine over a few days, and it's always around the 38-40bpm mark. seems worryingly low to me!
I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
Taken from the Heart Rhythm Society.
article said:
Causes and symptoms
Bradycardia can be caused by medicines, including certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure and arrhythmias. More commonly, it is caused by a blockage somewhere along the heart’s electrical pathway. The blockage may be a product of a congenital heart problem, or of the normal aging process.
In either case, the slower your heart beats, the less blood it pumps throughout your body. If your heart beats too slowly, your brain and body might not get enough blood to function well, leading to any or all of the following symptoms:
Fatigue, weakness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
Shortness of breath
Types of Arrhythmias
Understanding some common terms in the language of cardiac arrhythmias helps sort through the types of rhythm problems. An arrhythmia is any abnormality in heart rhythm. Arrhythmias are categorized in three main ways:
Rate. If the heart rate is slow, or less than 60 beats a minute, it is considered bradycardia. Alternatively, a fast or rapid heart rate, above 100 beats a minute, is known as a tachycardia.
Location. The location of the problematic electrical circuit helps define the arrhythmia. For instance, a rhythm is called supraventricular if it originates above the ventricles (lower chambers). So, the problem is most likely in the upper chambers (atria). It follows that a ventricular arrhythmia is the result of a problem in the lower chambers (ventricles.)
Irregular. The nature of the heartbeat, whether it is steady or chaotic, is another key to categorizing an arrhythmia. A rapid beat that is irregular and chaotic may be fibrillation, or a quivering beat.
Types of Slow Heartbeat (bradycardia)
Sick sinus syndrome– The sinus (or sinoatrial) node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, initiating each heartbeat with an electrical signal. Normally, the signal travels from the sinus node to the atria (the heart’s upper chambers) and then on to the ventricles (the lower chambers). When the sinus node is “sick,” or not functioning correctly, it may initiate signals too slowly. Or it may send signals at a normal rate, but a blockage (sinoatrial block) prevents some of the signals from leaving the node to deliver their message to the atria. Some people with sick sinus syndrome experience a fast heart rate (tachycardia), rather than a slow one. Others experience alternating episodes of bradycardia and tachycardia (sometimes called tachy-brady syndrome).
Heart block –Also called “AV block,” this is a blockage in the “AV node,” the electrical pathway between the atria and the ventricles. Heart block may delay electrical signals from reaching the ventricles, or it may block them completely. AV block is diagnosed in three degrees:
First-degree heart block is when signals travel through the AV node more slowly than usual, but they still reach the ventricles.
Second-degree heart block is when some signals are blocked entirely from reaching the ventricles, causing skipped heartbeats.
Third-degree, or complete heart block, can be quite serious. This is when all signals are blocked between the atria and the ventricles, forcing the ventricles to create their own signals, but at a much slower and less-effective rate.
Treatments
If bradycardia is causing bothersome or dangerous symptoms, a pacemaker may be needed to correct the heart rate. Bradycardia that is caused by medication often can be corrected simply by stopping the medication.
It maybe nothing but it is worth checking with the doc who can make sense of it all.Bradycardia can be caused by medicines, including certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure and arrhythmias. More commonly, it is caused by a blockage somewhere along the heart’s electrical pathway. The blockage may be a product of a congenital heart problem, or of the normal aging process.
In either case, the slower your heart beats, the less blood it pumps throughout your body. If your heart beats too slowly, your brain and body might not get enough blood to function well, leading to any or all of the following symptoms:
Fatigue, weakness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
Shortness of breath
Types of Arrhythmias
Understanding some common terms in the language of cardiac arrhythmias helps sort through the types of rhythm problems. An arrhythmia is any abnormality in heart rhythm. Arrhythmias are categorized in three main ways:
Rate. If the heart rate is slow, or less than 60 beats a minute, it is considered bradycardia. Alternatively, a fast or rapid heart rate, above 100 beats a minute, is known as a tachycardia.
Location. The location of the problematic electrical circuit helps define the arrhythmia. For instance, a rhythm is called supraventricular if it originates above the ventricles (lower chambers). So, the problem is most likely in the upper chambers (atria). It follows that a ventricular arrhythmia is the result of a problem in the lower chambers (ventricles.)
Irregular. The nature of the heartbeat, whether it is steady or chaotic, is another key to categorizing an arrhythmia. A rapid beat that is irregular and chaotic may be fibrillation, or a quivering beat.
Types of Slow Heartbeat (bradycardia)
Sick sinus syndrome– The sinus (or sinoatrial) node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, initiating each heartbeat with an electrical signal. Normally, the signal travels from the sinus node to the atria (the heart’s upper chambers) and then on to the ventricles (the lower chambers). When the sinus node is “sick,” or not functioning correctly, it may initiate signals too slowly. Or it may send signals at a normal rate, but a blockage (sinoatrial block) prevents some of the signals from leaving the node to deliver their message to the atria. Some people with sick sinus syndrome experience a fast heart rate (tachycardia), rather than a slow one. Others experience alternating episodes of bradycardia and tachycardia (sometimes called tachy-brady syndrome).
Heart block –Also called “AV block,” this is a blockage in the “AV node,” the electrical pathway between the atria and the ventricles. Heart block may delay electrical signals from reaching the ventricles, or it may block them completely. AV block is diagnosed in three degrees:
First-degree heart block is when signals travel through the AV node more slowly than usual, but they still reach the ventricles.
Second-degree heart block is when some signals are blocked entirely from reaching the ventricles, causing skipped heartbeats.
Third-degree, or complete heart block, can be quite serious. This is when all signals are blocked between the atria and the ventricles, forcing the ventricles to create their own signals, but at a much slower and less-effective rate.
Treatments
If bradycardia is causing bothersome or dangerous symptoms, a pacemaker may be needed to correct the heart rate. Bradycardia that is caused by medication often can be corrected simply by stopping the medication.
Ordinary_Chap said:
That seems very low, I'd go see the Doc see what he says.
I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
My doc was not worried about mine being 47 when she took it a couple of weeks ago, and I've seen high 30s on my HRM prior to a run. I've got a long history of competitive distance running which probably accounts for it.I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
ewenm said:
Ordinary_Chap said:
That seems very low, I'd go see the Doc see what he says.
I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
My doc was not worried about mine being 47 when she took it a couple of weeks ago, and I've seen high 30s on my HRM prior to a run. I've got a long history of competitive distance running which probably accounts for it.I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
I think the doc needs to look at the complete picture and decide if it warrants further investigation.
The doc for instance said because I'm carrying a decent amount of muscle he would usually expect my heart rate to be higher because guys who carry muscle usually have a higher heart rate and rarely have very low heart rates.
Ordinary_Chap said:
ewenm said:
Ordinary_Chap said:
That seems very low, I'd go see the Doc see what he says.
I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
My doc was not worried about mine being 47 when she took it a couple of weeks ago, and I've seen high 30s on my HRM prior to a run. I've got a long history of competitive distance running which probably accounts for it.I was measured at 58 which I was told was about as low as it could reasonably be, I'm relatively fit (I train 5 times a week). The Doc said any lower could indicate something that may need investigation.
I think the doc needs to look at the complete picture and decide if it warrants further investigation.
The doc for instance said because I'm carrying a decent amount of muscle he would usually expect my heart rate to be higher because guys who carry muscle usually have a higher heart rate and rarely have very low heart rates.
it's fellrunning I do, I also carry around a bit of muscle, though not nearly enough any more
no other symptoms either at all, but I will see a doc anyhow, just in case.
Efbe said:
cheers guys.
it's fellrunning I do, I also carry around a bit of muscle, though not nearly enough any more
no other symptoms either at all, but I will see a doc anyhow, just in case.
Fell running! Swimming! 30! Not an athlete! Sounds to me that you'd be a likely bradycardiac due to fitness. For comparison I'm well north of 50, reasonably fit but absolutely no athlete and a resting rate of 54 (dropping to 48 lying down)which gets me a 'bradycardiac' mention on my medical record and full check up (and I mean a full check up - no problems). Nonetheless, do talk to your doctor.it's fellrunning I do, I also carry around a bit of muscle, though not nearly enough any more
no other symptoms either at all, but I will see a doc anyhow, just in case.
caiss4 said:
Efbe said:
cheers guys.
it's fellrunning I do, I also carry around a bit of muscle, though not nearly enough any more
no other symptoms either at all, but I will see a doc anyhow, just in case.
Fell running! Swimming! 30! Not an athlete! Sounds to me that you'd be a likely bradycardiac due to fitness. For comparison I'm well north of 50, reasonably fit but absolutely no athlete and a resting rate of 54 (dropping to 48 lying down)which gets me a 'bradycardiac' mention on my medical record and full check up (and I mean a full check up - no problems). Nonetheless, do talk to your doctor.it's fellrunning I do, I also carry around a bit of muscle, though not nearly enough any more
no other symptoms either at all, but I will see a doc anyhow, just in case.
I wouldn't worry about it. I would class myself as fit but no athlete, and my resting HR is low 40s and I dont have any issues. Doctors have remarked upon it but as I dont display any symptoms and exercise they put it down to just being in reasonable shape.
I do about 6-7 hours of karate a week, a 5/6 mile cross country run, a 2 hour or so mountain bike ride and I'm a ta soldier, but I eat quite a bit of rubbish and my day job is sitting at a desk.
I do about 6-7 hours of karate a week, a 5/6 mile cross country run, a 2 hour or so mountain bike ride and I'm a ta soldier, but I eat quite a bit of rubbish and my day job is sitting at a desk.
I have checked it elsewhere as well, in the gym with their wraparound stuff, and just with my finger.
its just that on your phone allows you to measure your RHR wherever you are. i've only ever measured it in the gym before whilst working out, so never noticed how low it was whilst resting.
its just that on your phone allows you to measure your RHR wherever you are. i've only ever measured it in the gym before whilst working out, so never noticed how low it was whilst resting.
Efbe - this is the problem with silly apps! You only use them once in a lifetime and assume that's how your RHR has always been. If you took your RHR regularly all your life (regular = at least once every few months) and have been getting fitter, you would see it steadily change = you've been getting fitter and this is ok. Instead with one measurement, it makes it look like you have bradycardia, as mentioned!
And as for 'funky' apps, have you tried taking your pulse manually yourself? And what of your Blood Pressure?
And as for 'funky' apps, have you tried taking your pulse manually yourself? And what of your Blood Pressure?
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