My heart rate at rest is often about 48bpm, but yesterday I recorded a rate of 42. Is this dangerously low? I’m not aware of any symptoms such as dizziness etc..
Heart rate of 42: My heart rate at rest... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Heart rate of 42
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Samazeuilh2
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55 Replies
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Hi! My HR was about 48 during the whole of my life (72 yo). A few years ago, it shifted to 48-52, but lately it is mostly 46-48 again. As long as there are no symptoms, no need to worry. Such low HR is actually close to the lower limit value of the HR control system (this limit differs in different people), but obviously is not critical. When it gets critical, the control system loses stability and starts shifting HR towards higher values, actually much higher, so produces tachycardia, in waves, so you will know. Such low HR is usually the sign of "strong" heart, which is capable to cover the needs of the body at low RPM, so a good sign.
Hi, mine was like that on Bisoprolol beta blocker, they say if you feel ok it is ok but best to ask your doctor or cardiologist for your own peace of mind.
Best wishes
it’s currently 49 on a pulse oximeter which is a bit more typical. I’ll keep a watch on it during the day.
A rate of 42 is too low, regardless of how you feel. Is this persistent? Do seek advice from your GP.
I spoke to a 111 GP and she thinks it might be that I’m taking too much bisoprolol-currently 10mg daily. However, I’ve been on that dose for 20 months without (knowingly) experiencing such a slow rate. I have a Holter test due on Wednesday so that may provide some insight.
Yes, I was once told by my GP that being in the low 40's bpm is bordering on being too low. 10mg of Bisoprlol is a hefty dose. Did your GP suggest reducing it?
Jean
A consultant is considering reducing it to 7.5mg but we agreed to leave things alone until I had a 24 hour Holter (due next Wednesday). There has also been some talk of switching from Bisoprolol to another medication. The slow heart rate has been accompanied with a lot of ectopics and also a tendency to interrupted sleep (although that might be unrelated). 46 is fairly typical for me, but below that unusual. Currently it’s 48 at rest.
Sounds like you have a plan then. Good luck.
Jean
Sort of a plan! Thanks.
By the sound of your ectopics and interrupted sleep, you could be suffering from sleep apnoea, which is the problem I was having at night and ended up having a sleep test, which confirmed the apnoea.
I considered this as a possibility. I haven’t had a test for it, but I’ve never been out of breath on waking, don’t feel tired during the day and am not overweight. Also blood pressure on waking is normal. I’ll mention it when I next see a GP but the indicators point away from it so far as I can tell.
bisoprolol often disrupts sleep.
Why are you asking here when your Bart’s consultant will have your Holter in 5 days? Stop fretting.
It will pick up if you have sick sinus syndrome. Mine ran in the 40s, and I was asymptomatic except for very rare slight dizziness. I went to the er for my atrial fib lasting for an extended period. While on the monitor I was having some 3_4 second asystole. I ended up with a pacemaker. Probably not your problem but good to have a holter test.
My heart rate is often below 50 and does hits 44 during the day especially early morning and early afternoon, I have an App on my phone to check. I am on a 7 day monitor at the moment so will be interesting what is found. The previous 7 day ( 18 months agao ) test I was told was acceptable and the Echogram was also OK. It did record a sleeptime rate of 37 BPM. I was given a new PIP as it was felt 300mg of Flecainide was not good for me anymore and I was put on Biosoporol but the dosage was too low at 2.5 and didn't work and didn't want to give me a higher dose because of my low heart rate, so back on Flecainide , Do hope you get a positive test result to help with future planning,
The test is more for frequent nocturnal ectopics; the consultant doesn’t know about the slow rate yet. One consultant earlier mentioned the possibility of a “conduction problem” which could cover a lot of things.
• in reply toSamazeuilh2
Nonsense. Delete this reply in courtesy to other members who may be misled.
You have a very rudimentary knowledge of basic cardiology
cbaum• in reply to
I assume you are a degreed cardiologist to be making such a statement. Having been in cardiac care for over 7 years and now with my wife on cardiac care, I can only say that the medications we receive seem to have a lot of guesswork involved. We are all different and as one who experiences great variation in pulse (mine 52 to 92 and my wife's 57 to 99 in the last three weeks with few symptoms and certainly no dizziness) I find this discussion most interesting. The "low" ends seem to vary with which cardiologist you speak with.
• in reply tocbaum
I take your general point but stand by my opinion. Your fine photograph belies your age, a testament to top US medical care and regular cycling.
Samazeuilh2• in reply to
The post to which you replied states that I am to be tested for ectopics, that I haven’t discussed the slow heart rate with a cardiologist, and that a consultant mentioned the possibility of a conduction problem. None of these statements make medical claims, nor are they misleading- they simply report what medical professionals have told me and give details of a forthcoming appointment. In this light your reply can be dismissed as utter nonsense.
I have a genetic conduction problem. It’s related to the sodium channels in the heart. I also suffer from brady. They’ll want to determine if it’s a slow rate, pauses or something else causing the recorded rates. My doctors are not concerned with the slow rates when there are no symptoms. I often get lightheaded and they will insert a pacemaker when this worsens. They also logically pointed out that when you’re asleep you’re not needing your heart to beat harder so are even less concerned with it at night. It’s a conundrum for many because many of us need to be on beta blockers or other meds to control arrythmias and tachycardia, and this in turn makes brady worse.
Yes, these are all valid points. I have the Holter test on Wednesday so I hope they can discover what the problem is.
when I was on Sotalol I had a HR of 42 often. As long as you have no other symptoms, you’re fine.
if it’s just for a very brief period like mine goes to 35 or 40 but only seconds then when I stand goes back to 60. Cardiologist said not to worry but to let home know if that’s a more constant rate. I’m on beta blocker too but lower dose than you but it still affects my rate by nearly 10bpm
Hi, when I was on Bisoprolol my bpm were constantly dropping to low 30’s at rest. After 4 days of this I called 111 who advised a trip to A & E. They said as long as not passing out or feeling unwell not to worry…as did my cardiologist. Since changed to Nebivilol and it’s usually mid 40’s now. Always worth checking with your Dr but I’ve always been told as long as feel ok and not faint/passing out then not to worry….
Hi
I chuckled because you should let them the medical know. No symptoms or your heart has stopped and you can guess what. You're .......
BB metropolol or bisoprolol did little to control my heart rate but they control my BP especially systolic level. I take Nisoprolol 2.5mg at PM.
CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM controls my rapid Heart Rate Day to 60s.
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
I had a triple heart bypass just over 12 months ago and my heart rate was dropping down to 38 at rest.I saw the cardiologist and he said "don't worry about it, you have got new veins".
But, now after wearing a heart monitor for 2 days, the hospital has decided I have bradycardia, so another visit to the cardio is on the cards.
I take 2.5mg of bisoprolol, which is the cause of the low heart rate, but suffer from night time arrhythmias, due to sleep apnoea and if I cut down on the biso my A/F gets worse.
I have not had any problems either with the low heart rate.
Hope you get it sorted out.
Athletes have low heart rates
This is true, but I don’t think I fall into that category!
Mine was like that 1 week after my flutter Ablation, was on 1.25 mg bisoprolol, went to A &E , they said stop taking it so I did , emailed my Cardiologist he agreed now normally 60 to 70 depending upon what I'm doing, , good luck
Thanks!
Further to my post I had ectopic beats when I was on 5mg bisoprolol a day Cardiologist suggested lower dose to 1.25 then they stopped, that was 2 years pre Ablation
That’s interesting. You mean you were told that the bisoprolol was causing the ectopics?
Yes once reduced to half ie 1.5 mg ectopics went after a week
I was told that bradycardia is healthy if it is symptomless (and I gather that many athletes have it). It has occurred to me that what is symptomatic and what isn't must vary between people to some degree and also surely depends on the lifestyle we lead. Some jobs might become impossible to do with bradycardia, I imagine?
My rate is sometimes the same as yours. I was told that it can mean that if circumstances require you to need a beta-blocker for other medical reasons, then an option might be to have a pacemaker fitted to keep the rate higher.
Steve
I just don’t think I would fit the definition of an athlete! I’m fairly close to my correct weight however. I wouldn’t relish having a pacemaker.
Same here. When the specialist suggested one option was pace and ablate, my heart sank (excuse the metaphor).
Steve
Hi
At night after rapid Heart Rate at sleep is 47avg bpm. I think proven via 24hr Heart Monitor best.
If you have no symptoms I'd tell your cardiac specialist when you seehim or if worried speak to his Secretary.
My 47 is avg so it means possibly lower and higher to nake avge 47. Do you see what I mean.
Metropolol gave me pauses with that rate. It is now banned as breathlessness, fatigue and zombieness is unacceptable with a h/rate of 186 Day no exertion.
What meds are you on, dosage and when do you take them?
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
I go down to low 40s regularly,even after a brisk walk its about 55,but i never feel to bad,the only thing is i dont sleep that well whether theres a connection i wouldnt know.
When my heart rate went to the low 40s after just three days of taking 1.25mg Bisoprolol, I was told to stop taking it as it brought my heart rate down too low! That’s how I got to see an EP privately and was introduced to having a smart phone, Kardia, and then Flecainide. First taken as a pip and now taken regularly, it has put an end to AF episodes for me, thankfully. Of course we are all different and I hope you find what works for you.
just offering you some information on my past history - I am an athletic 79 year old male - walk, jog and bike about 10 miles total each day - my resting pulse has always been low to mid 40’s - at night my sleeping pulse rate stays in the 30’s - I feel very good health wise and my cardiologist says it’s most like the personal statistics specific to me
Wishing you the very best
Thanks. In your case it’s clear that your athletic lifestyle explains your low heart rate. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with me (although I do an hours cycling most days).
thanks for your response - I will keep praying for good health for you
when did you record a heart rate of 42? What time of day and what were you doing?
I was sitting at the time. I’d been cycling an hour earlier. It was at about 1630. I checked the reading to make sure it was accurate.
Just because your heart rate is 42 does not mean you have any type of condition that requires drugs or attention. If you are healthy and suffer from no adverse affects, such as dizziness or chest pain or things associated with your heart or you are exercising at the time, You may just have a low heart rate at rest. My sleeping heart rate is down to 45 and at times is have real strong ectopic heart beats. When I do, I do my breathing exercises and it works amazingly. I take no drugs of any kind for my condition. I never suffer from dizziness or any other type of symptom. Taking drugs is not always the answer. You may very well have a healthy low heart rate. No need to panic. My mom’s resting heart rate was down to 40 and she lived to the age of 85. Unfortunately she died of cancer. If you continue to have concerns, talk to your doc. 👍
Yes, a slow rate is not necessarily a problem. But in my case, it’s different from my usual rate and I had a bypass 18 months ago-hence I’m a bit wary about the change. There are many possibilities. I’ll possibly have a better idea after the Holter.
I occasionally record a heart rate of 42 or under. I think the concern would be if it lasted for a significant time.
Yes, it’s just that this reading is unusually low for me. If it was a regular occurrence and had been discussed with a cardiologist I wouldn’t be concerned.
I'm 79 too.
I had heart failure and was put on a medication that reduced my heart rate and one that reduced my blood pressure. Because my HF had a known cause, I was eventually able to get it down from level 4 to what the specialist called "mild".
I was told that I could gradually decrease my medication if my symptoms improved.
My HR went down to the mid 40's and I couldn't function properly at that rate so I kept reducing (with GP's approval) until my resting HR was around 60 on a regular basis.
It has taken a few years, but I am now - as of this week -not taking any heart meds and I'm feeling OK.
I will have regular check-ups at the Surgery and I'll keep a small supply of the meds in the cupboard just in case. I already keep a regular check on my blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen% and I have a Kardia (1 lead) that I can use if I need to.
So.... my advice is to see your Doctor and see if you can do something similar.
I'm fortunate in that I have a really good GP surgery (best I've ever had) not far from home where nothing is too much trouble for them, so I know that I have good back-up if I need it.
Mine was at 41 -- while at work years ago -- when I took Verapamil. I felt simply awful, too. My HR got back to normal after I switched EPs who switched my meds.
This past week my resting heart rate varied between 41 and 45 bpm. I have had bradycardia for years and recently started taking Verapamil for rhythm control. I feel fine...well, at least when I'm in normal sinus rhythm.
my latest oacemaker to treat bradycardia is set to activate on <40 during the night and <50 during the day. I was told nighttime rate of c 40 bpm is not unusual in healthy adults. As it happens, after lifestyle changes combined with the more flexible settings available, my pacemaker is now only called on 0.5% of the time as opposed to 8% when the first was implanted in 2008
My average daily pulse rate is 47 - 50 and tends to drop to 43/44 during the night. EP didn't seem concerned as long as I'm not having any issues.What daft responses you had from someone now hidden.
They think that the daily dose of bisoprolol is too high and is lowering the heart rate excessively ,which in turn is causing lots of ectopics. I’m awaiting the result of a 24 hour 12 lead Holter which may shed some light on the situation. Agree about the hidden responses!
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