Low heart rate

[MaggieRBM]

I have been suffering with exhaustion etc as my heart rate rarely goes above 55 and sits in the 40s most of the time. I have been referred to a cardiologist and wondered if anyone who has the same could advise me on questions to ask when I am there. Many thanks.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I can't advise on the questions you should ask regarding your brachycardia, but suggest you research the subject yourself, if you have no done so already, to get a better understanding of the possible causes, and then when you have compiled a set of questions to ask, including any suggested by members on here, you write them down and take them with you rather than try to memorise them. Hope you get sorted.

[MaggieRBM in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for your answer. Yes, I have researched bradycardia and have some questions written down but wondered if anyone else who had already spoken to the cardiologist would have questions they wished they’d asked.

[Alphakiwi]

You need a pacemaker probably.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Maggie, the real challenge for anyone with a medical condition is sorting the wheat from the chaff, whether you know anything about medicine or health or not. Cause and effect is rarely simple especially with a system like the heart which sits at the centre of many of the bodies systems.The first time I had a routine medical screening in my life (because I was older I guess) and Bradycardia was picked up. About 8 years ago aged 64. Resting HR hovering around 40 and most routine exercise like walking etc around 60. Further checks, showed everything was working fine.

I exercised a lot, cycled, ran. Never felt exhausted.

That's not to say you aren't feeling exhausted or that your heart may be involved. It is to say that Doctors will look at the symptoms and try to manage them. A diagnosis may be much harder to find or have nothing to do with your heart.

Take care.

[MaggieRBM in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thank you for your reply. I’ve done a bit of research but as you say a lot of it is in medical language. I understand that you have a pretty healthy lifestyle so your heart rate is in line with someone more athletic. Unfortunately, I am disabled so not quite in your category (wish I was though).

[Buddi12]

Hi I was similar last year and had to have a pacemaker fitted, diagnosed with heart block but no heart disease as such, just the electrics not working properly! I would ask about that, you can get information on nhs website.

[MaggieRBM in reply to Buddi12]

Thank you for your reply. I’ve had tests and like you no heart disease just not working properly. I’ve been on the nhs website and think I may need a pacemaker. The fitting seems to be pretty straightforward. What are your thoughts?

[Buddi12]

I’m no expert but the procedure was ok, a little uncomfortable fir a couple of weeks but nearly a year on not really aware of pacemaker, a small scar and my heart rate is more regular now. Hope you get on ok.

[dotmel]

I had the sme but now have a Pacemaker and has made a big improvement.

[MaggieRBM in reply to dotmel]

Thank you for replying. I’m hoping that whatever they do it makes an improvement. It would be nice to have a bit of energy.

[Kendalghost]

My heart rate is low, usually around 41 or so. I went for a second ablation in January and was t old in recovery that it had failed and I needed a pacemaker. I have now had an MRI heart stress test but they couldn't do the stress test as my heart rate was too low.... The consultant said that my sinus node ( don't know if this is the right name) wasn't working properly and with age the heart rate goes down. I'm only 64 and he said a pacemaker is the way forward so am just waiting. I asked if my heart was being damaged by the AF given that I can't take any medication and that is why they arranged the MRI in the first place. Don't know if any of this will help you but good luck when you get seen.

[MaggieRBM in reply to Kendalghost]

Thank you. Mine is usually around 43-50 so not quite as bad as yours. I have no idea how long it will take for me to be seen though.

[Kendalghost]

I waited 18 months to be seen it it varies depending on where you live.

[MaggieRBM in reply to Kendalghost]

I live in South Glos but don’t know anyone who has been attending cardiology in Bristol so I’ve no idea how long my wait will be but 18 months is a long time to feel like this isn’t it.