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Normal Resting Heart Rate

dmac4646 profile image
23 Replies

In a recent a video Dr Gupta says that this is the usual 60-100 BPM - but then goes on to say that 40 -120BPM is acceptable... is that a common view ?

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dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646
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23 Replies
jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

If it is, I've never heard of the heart rate going up to 120 as being normal, thought it was just to 100. Can you post the link to where he says this here?

Jean

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply tojeanjeannie50

Nor me either Jean . I was recently told by doctor at A&E to get back to them if my heart rate returned to the 40 s. In addition 120 at rest was not deemed normal

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply tojeanjeannie50

cant post you tube link for some reason but its in his video re palpitations @4mins 52

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply todmac4646

its actually called 4 types of heart palpitation

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply todmac4646

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G'day dmac,

I had a chuckle at your first post .... then your amended post. To be clear - I am replying to both posts 🙂🙂🙂

In my pre AF days my HR was always around the 88 to 95 bpm area and my BP around 136/80. These figures were pretty consistent for years prior to AF mugging me in January 2010 (Aged 65). Having spent years learning as much as my poor old brain will absorb (BobD has repeatedly advised newbies to read and learn as knowledge is power) I now realise that I was probably heading for a cardiac issue sooner or later. I have also learnt over the years that quite a few members of the paternal side of my family have been mugged by AF - there seems to be a definate genetic predisposition to AF.

For me a HR of 40 to 120 would be totally unacceptable and would make a cot case out of me, anything ( as it has been at times as low as 39 to 46 bpm) would lay me out !

My body works best at around 67 to 72 bpm. I have recently gone head to head with my GP surgery and cut back on my own Bisoprol from 7.5mg to 5mg and now I'm feeling great with a HR in the range of 62 to 67 bpm - close enough for me to the 67 to 72 bpm. As good as its ever gonna get at 78.

Matter of interest my current BP influenced by meds of course is around 131/72, again quite good enough for this boy.

As an observation I am very surprised that such a respected individual would make that statement about 40 to 120 - I guess he has his reasons with his experience.

John

in reply to

I guess he has his reasons too. What is normal anyway? My resting HR during my active hours is c 55 … always had been even before my pacemaker which has a day and night setting 50 for the day and 40 at night. I might get up to 120 after sometime on the cross trainer at the gym but it drops off very quickly when I stop. BP usually 112/66 . During a PAF or anxiety attack things are a wee bit different of course !

Ronnieboy profile image
Ronnieboy

My hr is quite normally resting mid 40s,if I do some hefty exercise goes up to early 60s.I did 13 years in the Royal signal Corp where we had some very tough physical exercises whether that has something to do with it I don't know.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toRonnieboy

it would have something to do with it.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

I would never manage with a rate of 40 😳 I had bradycardia so I had a pacemaker fitted and now can’t go below 60, even that feels to low sometimes.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I would not agree with Dr Gupta re 40-120 although lower levels are dependent on the person. An athlete for example may have a much lower level than 40. Whilst doing random ECGs one AF Awareness Week I found an 80 year old ex lifeboat coxwain who's normal rate was 36 and who roared with laughter at my face when I saw the trace.

My local consultant told me that they do not treat rates of 100 or less and my EP in London demanded I accept a pacemaker because my rate dropped to low 50s a few times on zio so for me 60 to 100 is correct.

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply toBobD

Thanks BoB , I must contact him and ask him why he said that - my Cardiologist is more in that school re lower pulse rates - his view being that if you are not experiencing fainting or long pauses he is reluctant to go for a pacemaker.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toBobD

and RD&E say 120 before they would treat…..

I think the lower rate is much more significant if not an athlete & are experiencing symptoms. For most of us that would be around 60. My pacemaker was set at 70 but I really couldn’t tolerate it it that high so they lowered it to 60 which suits me much better.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Here's Dr Gupta's video:

youtube.com/watch?v=dzK0eGO...

dmack4646 profile image
dmack4646 in reply tojeanjeannie50

Thanks

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply todmack4646

Thank you for making us aware of what Dr Sanjay Gupta says about a normal heart rate.

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply tojeanjeannie50

Jean - have dropped him a line to see if would like to comment further..

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

if you go to hospital then definition of Tachycardia is 120+ so I would say yes that range is generally considered ‘normal’. But more important is what is normal for you. If you are an athlete a resting rate of 40-45 would be normal.

If you are used to a higher resting rate of say 80 - then increase to 120 is not that signicant.

My resting rate was 65-70 and I was comfortable until my HR exceeded 135. My husband has a lower resting & exercise rate and finds 85+ excessive.

It’s a range and there are no definite answers.

Eliktrick profile image
Eliktrick in reply toCDreamer

I go to the ER at 120 that’s high and it just gets higher from there. Rhr .for me is 57 no meds just pill in Pocket .. four cardioversions in the past three yrs but good the past year..I’m in Canada. Seems drs here fo things a bit different

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toEliktrick

120+ is what I was told but you are correct, different doctors will give slightly different advice.

John3333333 profile image
John3333333

My resting heart rate is between 47 and 55 BPM, but I'm 42 y.o and still relatively fit. My cardiologist is unconcerned, providing I have no other symptoms. However, I'm pretty sure I experience more ectopics due to bradycardia.

ETHEL103 profile image
ETHEL103

Hi I have notice at 4pm when I sit down to read etc my heart rate drops to 45 to 50.This does concern me as I don't take any beta blockers just bp meds apixaban and statins.Should I mention this to gp as the view on here is that is pacemaker territory. I do feel okaish but I can definitely feel slow heart rate so I usually get up and move around.

CyclingRunner profile image
CyclingRunner

I’m 47 and exercise 6 days a week. Resting HR mid 40’s. I take a beta blocker (metopronel tartrate - 1/2 tab) pre exercise, and it’s not uncommon for me to have a high 30’s low. However that would be only while I am lying down or sitting at my desk - as soon as I move it’s higher. No issues with being this low. When I used to give blood they wouldn’t let me donate if sub 40. But they always used to ask me if I exercised a lot and this seemed ok for 40-50 BPM.

I get the feeling there’s a normal range and I’m towards the lower end of this.

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