Rate of heart beats too slow?

[Hiriam]

My medication for high blood pressure has, at times, reduced heart beats to 48 beats per minute. Is that safe?

[MikeG1944]

Hi Hirium; beta blockers can reduce pulse rate quite a bit; I am on the maximum dose rate of 300mg Metoprolol and at times it drops to 56 beats a minute but normally sits around 60-65bpm. 48 does seem a little low to me and suggest you have a word with your doc to put your mind at rest. As long as you don't feel dizzy or light headed he may say it's OK.

One thing I heard on the TV is that people on high doses of Beta blockers live a lot longer; so that's good news.

Mike.

[Badbessie]

48 does seem low. But with the medications you are on no great surprise. As long as there are no adverse effects I would not over worry. Speak with your GP.

[Hidden]

Depends on the person more than the count! Heart size plays a big part as larger slower beat smaller faster. they equal out.

Years back my resting pulse was in the 20'-low 30's only had around 190 max

While others was much faster and had higher max.

but i have a larger heart anyway.

when was in hospital having op on arm my HR never went over 50.

It only becomes an issue if won't rise when needed to like when exerting yourself

[193639]

Most athletes train to achieve a low resting heart rate, its more about the rhythm of your heart, not how many times it beats per minute.

Conversely, your blood may need thinning as that can slow the heart beat down due to the heart working harder due to pump thicker oxygenated blood through your system. Ask your GP to test this.

I am not a doctor but have a genetic heart condition.