low heart rate

[Worvera]

My Apple Watch regularly gives me alerts that my heart rate is under 50 bpm and many times as low as 43. I have checked it out with my bp monitor which confirms this. I always feel completely drained and often have to lie down flat with my feet up the wall. I’m on multiple meds for Microvascular Angina. Generally I have no chest pain at these times but sometimes my left arm feels quite numb. I never know what to do with regard to whether I need help or not. This happened several times yesterday and today I’m completely fatigued. Any suggestions would be gratefully received ❤️ Thank you 🙏

[Worvera]

Thank you for your response 😊 I’m always hesitant to bother the NHS as I’ve taken so much of their time over the past three years. I’m not on beta blockers but a cocktail of other drugs. I think I just needed someone to give me permission to bother the GP 🙄 but I’ll try to get them tomorrow morning.

[Hidden in reply to Worvera]

In my view if you are genuinely ill, irrespective of how many times that has occurred, you should have no hesitation in contacting the NHS at the appropriate level, that why it's there. And this is even more important if you have what could be a serious condition, more so if it is potentially life threatening. The real problem with contacting the NHS is likely that for every person who has a reluctance based on 'fairness' there are probably many who have no hesitation in contacting the NHS even though there is no real need, and it is them who unfairly and unnecessarily consume resources and clog up the system .

[Worvera in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reassurance. I agree that some others do misuse the system. Early on in my illness I was made to feel that I was too by a senior nurse in A&E. That really put me off asking for help but eventually I was a week in Cardiology ward and properly diagnosed. I wish I could go back to that nurse now 😤😡🤬

[ArgoJason in reply to Worvera]

I would definitely reiterate what others have said here - if you need contact the NHS, definitely do so. If you're worried that you're wasting time, call NHS 112 and speak through your symptoms with a nurse/health professional and they can do things like book you an immediate appointment with a GP/emergency doctor at your local A&E. That's what they did for me when I was having an AF episode a couple of weeks back. Good luck!

[Worvera in reply to ArgoJason]

Good advice thank you I will do that next time it happens 😊

[Coywolf]

It could be a case of Tachy-Brady syndrome which is where heart faces but then goes very slow. I have a pacemaker which rectified the problem.It's better to seek help from consultant earlier as it could develop into something more serious, they are paid to help you! Left arm going numb sounds a bit worrying too. Get checked out, sooner the better

[Theshed]

Hi, Worvera,

I write to reassure you: all that you have stated in your original post applies to me, too. My resting heart rate often sits around low 40’s and sets off the Heart Rate Monitor alarm when in hospital (much to the annoyance of other trying to sleep, I guess!). Doctors and Consultants have all looked into this and told me not to worry and to try and carry on as normal - thankfully, my cocktail of drugs has, eventually, allowed me to lead a pretty active lifestyle.

I manage the fatigue and tiredness I have from this condition and the medication, especially following these episodes, by resting and sleeping during the day - luckily I am retired and so I can manage it in this way.

I hope this helps reassure you, but as everyone else suggests, please do seek guidance and support from your GP to help ease any concerns/anxieties you have.

Best, etc,

[Worvera in reply to Theshed]

Thank you. I’m not good at sleeping during the day but I do spend probably too much time in bed in the winter months with early nights and late mornings. I sleep around 9 hours and still feel tired. What is your condition please Theshed?

[Theshed in reply to Worvera]

I was diagnosed with Microvascular Angina and Coronary heart spasm some two years ago following extensive testing (angiogram, MRI, heart monitoring, etc) and have had trialed many combinations of different medication.

Like you say, I am so much more tired than I have ever been, especially since I have always been very active and healthy. Literally, I just have to collapse some days to recover following any extended period of exercise, IE an afternoon of gardening.

I guess it’s something I just have to self-manage and be grateful that I am not having the repeated awful symptoms of what mostly felt like a heart attack!

Best wishes.

[Worvera in reply to Theshed]

Your experience exactly mirrors mine Theshed. I’m unable to do much exercise at all but after having a wee walk I’m exhausted. Currently trying to paint the sitting room and it’s taking me ages 🙄. The good news is that I rarely get the intense chest pain now and I’m told that my prognosis is ‘fairly positive’. I’m learning to live with this condition but it does get frustrating when I’m so fatigued. The low pulse rate has concerned me but the kind responses on here have really helped. Good luck 😊

[Suzyh]

I have microvascular and do get chest pains sometimes it feels just like the pain from a HA . Gp sorted my meds out now BP and pain not to bad

[Worvera in reply to Suzyh]

Good news!! Yes my pain is (largely) sorted to but the fatigue is a real issue.

[Adhtz21]

Morning, I had this issue and self reduced my bisoprolol beta blocker from 2-5mg to 1-25mg per day. Since then, these heart rate warnings and fatigue have eased. My GP did his best to ‘bat’ me off, but an ECG revealed, Grade 1 Sinus Heart Block. As I do not have the other symptoms of concern, they say no action. However, Grade 2 Heart Block requires a Pacemaker. Please get checked and be persistent. Best regards, Andy.

[Worvera in reply to Adhtz21]

Good for you Andy. My problem isn’t arising from beta’s as I was taken off them. I am on a shed load of other meds to control pain though . I do feel reassured by the comments above re low heart rate being common. Thank you for your input. I will ask for a check up when I can get through to my GP 🙄😊

[Nedragymni]

Hi, know just how you feel and it is not nice at all…. Just so glad of the forum, as it keeps reassuring me that I am not the only one who has these symptoms and feels that you waste NHS time ……stay strong and keep on the forum! Good luck!

[Worvera in reply to Nedragymni]

Thank you. Yes this platform is a fabulous help. 😊

[Confused01]

Hi,

I recently experienced chest / heart like related symptoms . My GP just said get to A&E. A& E found slow heart beat. Now I’m being given the run around for a monitor 🙄.

My understanding is that the slow beat is a symptom not a cause. Just hoping they will get to the cause.

X

[Worvera in reply to Confused01]

yeah I have a firm diagnosis of the cause it’s more about learning how to deal with living with it. The slow beat is making me feel exhausted but at least I have much less pain 😊

[Confused01 in reply to Worvera]

n I ask what was the cause? My GP is very disinterested even though it was the GP that said to go to A&E (not put on my records) due to my symptoms. Now he says ‘don’t worry it’s quite common lol’. Very disconcerting. I pointed out but not to be ignored with the symptoms!

x

[Worvera in reply to Confused01]

It’s actually the affect of my multiple meds for Microvascular Angina that is causing my heart rate to slow rather than the actual condition. It’s taken a long time to get my meds right so I’m reticent to have them looked at again. I hope you get your diagnosis soon. The wait is stressful

[Worvera]

wow it’s great that you can work out. I’m so fatigued that I can just about go for a walk. I’m getting used to living with my condition now but I do get anxious when I see my heart rate drop. Maybe I should just ditch my Apple watch 😆

[Worvera]

Yes thank you, I will try to speak to my GP. Keep up the good work with your fitness 😊

[Confused01]

Thanks for your reply.

I got myself a heart monitor watch, and so far never has heart gone below 62 ( varies 52-90). I’m wondering if my A&E ecg 50 was a fluke test.