Low Heart Rate

BurgundyClone

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Apr 15, 2007
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East of Omaha
So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)
 

KnappShack

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May 26, 2008
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I'd guess it depends?

When I'm in very good shape my resting rate will fall below 50. When I was in marathon shape it would be around 48 - 50 bpm.

But I've never passed out on a moonlight piss excursion.

I have some fun heart palpitations. Wore a monitor and waiting for the results. 50s seem to be a little "fun" so far.
 

Cyhig

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Nov 29, 2017
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I'd guess it depends?

When I'm in very good shape my resting rate will fall below 50. When I was in marathon shape it would be around 48 - 50 bpm.

But I've never passed out on a moonlight piss excursion.

I have some fun heart palpitations. Wore a monitor and waiting for the results. 50s seem to be a little "fun" so far.
Hope it turns out benign.
 
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Drew0311

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Nov 7, 2019
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So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)


I remember when George Bush Jr was president they said he had an crazy low resting heart rate. Pretty sure it's no big deal though. Guessing the anxiety will speed it up a little.
 

jmb

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So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)
I relate. I was college athlete and did some fun stuff that required a lot cardiovascular fitness in the service. My resting hr is in the 40s and drops during sleep(I track it every night). I do intense exercise 5x/week. Dehydration etc are very real risks. Stay on top it..I remedy this with using zyn throughout the day. ;)
 

Drew0311

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Nov 7, 2019
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Norwalk, Iowa
I relate. I was college athlete and did some fun stuff that required a lot cardiovascular fitness in the service. My resting hr is in the 40s and drops during sleep(I track it every night). I do intense exercise 5x/week. Dehydration etc are very real risks. Stay on top it..I remedy this with using zyn throughout the day. ;)


I got heat exaustion in the Marines at 29 Palms.. Plus I work out 6 times a week. I have not been able to hydrate since that heat problem at 29 Palms. I slam water, Gatoraide, Liquid IV. I have to go to the bathroom like 3 times a night. Pain in the ass.
 
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isucyfan

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Apr 21, 2006
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So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)
Are you me? This is almost my exact story. I passed out after getting up quickly a year or so ago. Doctor visits and a number of precautionary tests (EKG, wearing a heart monitor, etc.) showed everything was normal outside of a low heart rate.
 
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cycloner29

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Just turned 60 and around 10 years ago while getting my vitals checked to donate plasma (everytime you donate you have to have this done.) My heart rate would dip below 50 every so often. As it turns out since I was doing a lot of biking that it helps lower your heart rate or as they would say I had an "athletic heart rate". So whenever it goes below 50 now, I won't get flagged for some other condition.

I also have a condition called PVC.... Pre Ventricular Contraction. My heart would beat 2-3 times really fast beats then rest for a 2-3 seconds. Went to the Dr for it as I had no idea what is was. Dr told me it was not uncommon to have this and that it was nothing to worry about. Since I have been doing a lot of biking/exercising over the years, it hasn't been an issue.
 

cowgirl836

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Sep 3, 2009
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So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)

How's your thyroid function?
 

BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)
Went to college who tried to give blood but his 26 heart rate kept him from being able to. The dude was never worked up. Probably why.
 

FriendlySpartan

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Jul 26, 2021
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So.. had a recent health scare and basically turns out I have a really low resting heart rate (around 45 on average and into the 30's at night) -53 yr old in good shape, but not ultra-marathoner shape or anything. Previous physicals hadn't really had it show up (walking in maybe elevated it enough or something). Now it's more anxiety than anything after Iowa Heart found nothing really wrong (was admitted because apparently was dehydrated and fainted while doing a middle of the night bathroom run) and it helps to hear that this is more normal than I think to have a really low resting heart rate! :)
As you age your heart rate tends to decline, if you practice regular cardiovascular exercise or did a lot in your younger days potentially even more so.

Fainting, dizziness, and general fatigue are the major signs to be worried about that people tend to ignore. If you find these symptoms getting worse or develop and issues with shortness of breath or chest pain see your physician immediately.

This is one of the benefits of going to your yearly physical as it sets a baseline and can help determine if this RHR is normal for you or a change.

I would say that it’s very odd that your previous physicals didn’t note this. People don’t usually just discover a low RHR out of nowhere. Did they check thyroid function, or run a tilt table or stress test? Assuming they ordered an EKG and blood panel but I don’t know the quality of the provider you went to or what you said to them/history.

While bradycardia isn’t rare when you start having symptoms like fainting that’s actually a concerning issue.
 
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SolterraCyclone

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Jul 26, 2021
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My first son has a really low resting heart rate. As a first time parent I was freaked out by this. Our pediatrician said she didn’t see a cause for concern but I had her refer us to a specialist twice to check it out (once when he was born and once after we had a hospital stay for RSV and the damn alarms kept going off due to his heart rate).

Had him checked and both times the doctors said sometimes people just naturally have lower heart rates because the heart doesn’t need to pump as much to get blood through the circulatory system. All the tests and everything were fine and it was nothing to be concerned about, FWIW.
 
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