Low heart rate post stent Op

[Jennyhenry]

Hello, my dad has recently come home after having 3 stents fitted. We have one of the Fitbit watches and his heart rate is particularly lower than normal (not by a lot only 55bmp) average just wondering is this normal? He has been feeling slightly light headed and just wondering if this is due to the beta blockers?

[Dovaston]

Hi My heart rate has been around 55 for last 4 years since being on beta blockers after stents. No light head though for me.

[Maisywhippet]

Probably best to take heart rate the conventional way yourself using his wrist over 15seconds then x4

I was told that Fitbits and similar devices are not always accurate.

[David-75]

Hi, yes to everything you have said really !- beta blockers do slow heart rate - to take away some of the workload on the heart whilst recovering ( most effective for the a couple of years after apparently, but most are prescribed long term- I am hopefully stopping mine soon). His symptoms probably sound common to most of us here that are on them and it is still early days by the sounds of things- and the body does take time to adjust to meds. I’m relatively young and heart rate at rest is about 46 - but can be less. I am “fit” (lol) though and run regularly etc. Yes- Wrist mounted optical heart rate sensors can be very unreliable. Chest straps are better for accuracy (I’m saying that as a runner who has tried, but I think it is generally accepted).Like everyone here - we are not doctors and everyone is different, so always consult a GP for reassurance. Hope your dad feels better soon.

[David-75 in reply to David-75]

I should have said ask your medical professional for reassurance - sorry. BHF have nurses available on the telephone that were excellent sources of knowledge and reassurance in my early days post op.