I’m probably worrying over nothing but here goes……my normal resting heart rate is normally between 50-60 beats per minute, I currently have COVID it other than sniffles and a slight sore throat I feel fine. The worst was 2 days ago when I had a bad cold, headache and general flu like symptoms. Like I said I’m feeling fine now but still testing positive. But yesterday and today I’ve noticed my resting heart rate (mainly when sleeping) has been in the 40s. One of the readings overnight said it actually dropped to 40bpm. These are readings from my Apple Watch and it’s saying my average resting heart rate is 45. Should I be concerned or does anyone else have this? can I also add for the past 2 weeks I have been on the KETO diet and already lost half a stone. anyone else have low bpm readings?
should I be concerned? : I’m probably... - Atrial Fibrillati...
should I be concerned?
That’s a bit odd because during infection the HR normally goes up. I don’t think 40-45 is anything to be too worried about just yet as many people here have reported a low resting HR as their ‘normal’ but obviously any change you notice is going to be unsettling. If you didn’t have the watch, would you know from your symptoms? Sometimes having these devices can make us a bit hyper-vigilant! I can’t comment on your keto diet but I do know that when the body is in an energy deficit then the body will compensate by down regulating its metabolism, so that might be contributing to a lower HR at rest. But your energy demands actually increase during infection so it’s probably better to put your weight loss goals on hold for a week or two and concentrate on fuelling yourself adequately to give your body what it needs to fight the infection. Assuming you have the appetite, of course. Wishing you a full recovery and back to your old self soon.
can you tell me what # your apple watch is? My cardio told me to get one it may save my life since I am all alone and 71 afib, flutters and tachy at risk for falling or fainting.. Thank you much....
I have an Apple Watch which can tell me if I'm in Af. Mine came second hand from Ebay as they are fairly expensive to buy new from the Apple Store. It works like a computer having to be charged every day (I charge mine at night), and has various health apps as well as monitoring for AF. It tells the time, too!
I still have the occasional low & high spike on my Apple Watch - especially during the night. As I have a pacemaker which cuts in as soon as my HR dips below 59 I know they have to be wrong!
If it is an occasional spike then ignore - it will be a spook reading. If, however, your HR average for a night stays in the low 40’s I would be seeking advice from your doctors.
Hope that helps and wishing you a full and speedy recovery - I took months to properly recover but that was early on and I am immune suppressed so take a long time to recover from smallest infection.
Hi Fondant I'm a 51 year old male. When sitting on the couch relaxing (watching TV) my HB sits about 55-60.
When deep asleep (say 2:00am) my HB is about 47.
So hopefully that's normal for my age.
Cheers Blake
Just to say you replied to me CDreamer and not Fondant. ‘Normal’ HR is vey personal - if my HR dropped to 47 in my sleep then I would be in AF - that’s why I have a pacemaker - to stop that happening. I’ve always had a high resting HR and therefore when my HR goes ‘high’ when in AF ie: 130 - it doesn’t bother or worry me but dropping below 50 does. The only ‘normal’ is personal. The official normals are HR between 60-120 but some now say 60-100 - even the norms change!
Thanks CD, yes I supposed to reply to Fondant, he should still see my response? I agree with what you say, we all have differences in terms of how we deal with medical issues such as AF. It's probably a factor as to why medical science can't find a one size fits all treatment. Nice to hear from you. Blake
A general Internet search advised: "Bradycardia (heart rate 40 – 60 bpm) can be normal when you're sleeping."
I was told that as long as the bradycardia I get is symptomless, it is fine. However, yours is happening overnight so is something you might not feel symptoms from if you are asleep, in which case, I would ask my doctor about it. It might as you say be somehow related to the covid infection, and should improve once the virus is clear. Covid can stay in the body for a good while, and in "long covid" maybe for a very long while indeed, it seems. It does have the ability to affect various bodily systems, including the heart so, again, it's best to keep your doctor informed.
Steve
Only thought I can bring to this through experience is the possibility of Ectopic Heart Beats. These devices cannot accurately detect an Ectopic beat and therefore does not count it. If I were to wear a counter, mine would be 35 at times which would be 70 if considering my Ectopic Beat. You can see the Ectopic Beat if it is displaying the heart pattern and it will appear as a missing beat followed by a larger out of shap beat in comparison to the normal ones.
Just re your Keto diet, I have noticed articles Posted on the forum recently indicating that the Keto diet gives an increased risk of negative heart events. I can't find those particular links at the moment, but a simple internet search on "Keto and heart health" should give you relevant results.
I suggest trying lambertshealthcare.co.uk/co... . I have been taking it for years with no known side effects but ideally you should have a blood test to determine your current level.
Just anecdotal but I feel it has helped (with other actions) to stop my HR dropping as low at night.
When I had covid the other week my bpm actually went higher. I believe as long as you don’t faint and have chest pains it isn’t really something to be concerned about. Get well soon !
well done regarding the diet. Wish I had the willpower.
Yes 40 is low heart rate but I normally range between 43 snd 48 snd although medics say oh that’s a low bradycardia no one seems particularly bothered as long as I feel ok
I have an episode if afib tachycardia st the moment snd although I’ve been as high as 240 this time it was 168 for nearly 5 weeks now 89 but I feel worse with this than when low
If you are worried perhaps you could contact your EP or cardiologist to ask their advice
All the best
Hi fondant, 3 coments,
would you know without apple watch, do you feel ill?
my heart rate was 50-60 awake thought it was cos I was fit, but turned out it was a leaking heart valve. So have you had your heart scanned?
Do you exercise much, this can bring your heart rate down. If so it might be normal for you
Agree with @2learn, Fondant
Looking at your bio you are in your 40's, former runner, still exercise, and seem to be physically fit. Your heart rate seems normal for those characteristics.
But best to discuss with your doctor at next visit. What is your current afib status, and medications ? And most important, do you still see a doctor at least annually ?
Hi
My resting H/R is 47 avge no change on meds!
Your rate is great.
One girl with AF said that her H/Sp says under 65.
Its how you feel. I need to cover shoulders and bed socks until it is too hot during night but look after them day.
Stop procrastating on gagets. I have.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
When I first got my pacemaker I became obsessed checking my new heart rate because I had had one in the 150s for a year almost yes constant. I had been told my heart rate was said in the 80s so I thought that’s where it should be. I did not know it fluctuated lol it’s made to reflect when you are doing things just like everyone’s heart once I learned that I was less anxious. I was told to get rid of the gadgets. I would drive myself crazy Because minute to minute your heart rate can change. I understand if you’re feeling really awful if you want to check it but if I felt that bad I would be on my way to the ER. Relax and enjoy your new life if it’s doing better otherwise you’ll waste all your time worrying about your number just like diabetics with the new systems on your arm , I am a diabetic I have been for over 12 years. My doctor never wanted me to take my numbers for the same reason you become obsessed and blood sugar changes just like heart rate. Since five weeks after I started medication for type two I have stayed around six for blood sugar. I started watching my diet and doing other to do and I was swimming. Save your money unless you just need to watch. Just like the phones they are constantly changing so you need new ones anyway
Hi
You are full of wonder! Been through a lot.
I should have said avge 47 night asleep.
The only gadget I have is my microlife BP.
I hardly ever look now. But I found that after a year of CCB Diltiazem Calcium Channel Blocker my 47 rises so 8am I'm 62 and I stay round 60s till late afternoon and then I have my Bisoprolol 2.5.PM
It was interesting that watching CSV today AF and H/rate should be much lower than 100 at rest.
From the stroke I was left at avg 186. Then changed med Metoprolol to Bisoprolol which lowered it to 156 day avge.
Introduce CCB within 2 hours to 51! Too much so we settled for 120mg not 180mg 1/2 full dose.
Away in my Campa 4 nights - it is getting colder. But with a hot engine and underfloor heating and my single bed is over hot water cylinder!
How's your weather!?
cheri JOY
I thought they were reducing your pacemaker to 60s.
You are the wonder going through everything you did. It’s been in the high 80s here in Texas. We are pretty much into summer now and have been. Unfortunately, that means a lot of thunderstorms and lightning and my poor dog goes crazy and that’s putting it lightly.
I actually will be seeing my EP on Monday I called them today. They wanted me tomorrow but I can’t do it. I think there may be something wrong with my pacemaker. I’ve never seen anyone mention it on here. A couple of weeks ago, I had a bubble in the area of my pacemaker, it was from laying on my side and if I switched it would still come out. It is making me nervous and the area of my pacemaker is a little bit sore not infected that I can see plus I am actually on an antibiotic at the moment which probably cannot heard, even though I’m taking it for something different. I have been feeling off my game for a few weeks, but kept thinking it would pass. I hurt from head to toe. If it wasn’t for this crazy golf ball size bubble, which is what I Collett, I would just think I had a bug. I just had a full echo done two weeks ago. Of course this started after and that was going to be mostly about my heart failure. I am scared. I admit it I thought of having problems with my pacemaker, I don’t know what to say. Please take care of yourself and thank you for your kindness as always. ❤️
Low Heart rate, should I be worried? 
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Ectopics - should I be worried ??
Should I live with it?
