I wonder if anyone could help me as I'm freaking out a little.
Brief history, I've had a lot of ectopic beats and fast heart rate over the past few years that has been attributed to periomenopause (and anxiety).
I'm on 80mg slow release propranolol and have been on this for a few years.
Tonight whilst sitting watching the tv my apple watch flashed up that my heart rate had gone too low. It's currently around 43-47. This does go up when I move around. It's never done this before.
I've recently had an Echocardiogram and 7 day holter monitor and been told heart is fine just PVCs and PACs.
Anyway this is really worrying me. I'm now panicking about going to sleep and it dropping lower or stopping.
Should I go to A & E?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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mummyofspot
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it’s possible your watch is wrong - have you taken your pulse in the old fashioned way? Suggest you phone 111 for advice. Propranolol, as you know already, does slow your heart down.
I'm on bisoprolol and my resting heart rate is always around that when I first wake up or when relaxing in the evening. Am always told no problem if no symptoms.
Oh gosh really? That makes me feel better! Mine is usually higher but I’m normally anxious and that raises my heart rate. No anxiety earlier so that might’ve been why. I am anxious now tho!!! 😜
I have had this a few times so I changed the settings on my apple watch to only alarm at 40bpm which as yet it hasent done. All this technology is great but a disaster if you suffer from anxiety and really better off without them I feel. Without the watch you would be blissfully unaware of this lowish heartrate that is causing you no symptoms but acute anxiety. Its just a watch nothing more and nothing less so its your call to ditch it or not.
I'm in the same position as Heartmum56. 1.25mg Bisoprolol dropped my resting heart rate by about10 to 15% so I can't have any more than the lowest dose.
If you are still slightly concerned about your low heart rate you should really talk to a health professional, ideally your GP, who has access to all your medical records, and should be able advise if any action is necessary or whether there is nothing to worry about. That's what I did under similar circumstances, and the outcome was, nothing to worry about.
Thanks for your reply. I have emailed my cardiologist and booked a telephone appointment for Thursday (luckily have private medical insurance). But obviously I can’t speak to anyone tonight and I’m very very worried and scared to sleep. I suffer with health anxiety 😟
Don’t stress. Mine is always that low. The other day my heart rate didn’t go above 78 the entire day! (refer pic) I’d go one out for breakfast and grabbed a few things at the shops too.
I have received dozens and dozens of low heart rate notifications. My cardiologist and EP said while I’m not really suffering any symptoms, they’re not concerned. They’re less concerned of it happens when I’m resting or sleeping.
the British Heart Foundation have cardiac nurses who give telephone advice , I know nothing about the service but perhaps you could give the number a try. It may just be that your dosage of propranolol needs tweaking but you would be better getting direct medical advice , health anxiety is a terrible thing , I hope you get sorted .
Generally without any symptoms like dizziness, breathlessness etc it is generally grand. Her O2 stats are 100% and NSR which is superb so her heart is doing its job easily. Still peace of mind is key especially if you suffer from anxiety.
hi, im having the exact same, I only noticed it from my Fitbit and it around 53 when I am sitting down and 42 when im asleep, ive contacted my GP who doesn't seem concerned but has sent me for some bloods and a 24 hour ECG, this has only been like it for the past week?
Oh I’m so sorry you’re having this too. It’s scary. I wouldn’t be worried if my HR always went low but mine is usually higher because of the anxiety. I hope everything is ok for you and you get some reassurance from the tests xx
Hello - I wanted to reply as this sounds so similar to my experience. I regularly have a heart rate go as low as 40-42 when I'm sitting relaxing in the evening, sometimes I can 'feel' it going slow, other times I wouldn't have known if my watch hadn't alerted me. It started about 2 years ago for me and did really freak me out - I was also scared to sleep so I can understand how that feels. Definitely talk to the doctors which it sounds like you are doing. I have been thoroughly investigated and have been reassured that if I don't feel unwell with it then it's nothing to worry about really, and I am just under the consultant for longer term monitoring.
I'm much more relaxed about it now and think it's just how my heart behaves. I do notice that it happens more when I'm over tired, or if I'm recovering from an illness. If I've exercised in the day it tends to happen less. Sending you lots of support it can be so worrying, hope that you get reassurance from your cardiologist appointment this week.
Hi - I'm not on beta blockers or any medication at all, just a low heart rate! Sometimes it is caused by AV block which my monitoring has picked up, but at this point nothing that needs treating unless I do start to have symptoms with it.
I am female (don't mind you asking!) and I do wonder about a link to perimenopause / hormones in general. It never seems to be considered by the doctors in my experience, so I don't know how to be more certain about it.
I don't wear my watch in bed normally as now I don't really want to know, I am trying to trust how I feel so if I feel OK I assume it was all fine overnight. My cardiologist has said that it's pretty common for low heart rates overnight and they don't really worry about it if you feel well.
Hi my heart rate is always in the low 50 s it has gone down as low as 42 but again they don't seem too concerned I had a 24 hr ecg on 26th June and am still awaiting results .it's ridiculous and no explanation really wot the hold up is .my gp has also rung and got no were so guess I wait !! I hope u get some answers soon and put ure mind at ease
Hi, I am the same as you. Started around a year ago. Watch woke me up with heart rate of 37, then 39. Thought the watch was faulty. That day, resting heart rate was in low 40s, checked against blood pressure monitor and another device. Almost the same readings. Contacted drs, he was not concerned at all.Suppose you have to trust them but same as you wondered why the step change has occurred.
I’m on bisoprolol and heart rate normally in the late 40’s to 50’s. Cardiologist not concerned I’m not symptomatic. I’m documented as having nocturnal bradycardia after a ecg. But only for a few seconds. I’ve set my watch to alarm off if it goes under 40. I don’t wear it at night it might wake me up 😂. Only in the day. I’ve only had 1 alert in the day but I hadn’t drunk enough.
Listen to what your body tells you it’s often more intelligent. And use gadgets as a bit of help.
I was on 1.25mg Bisoprolol (switched to Carvedilol now due to adverse reaction) and when I was I'd drop to mid 40's at times. I made my doctor aware at the time as he wanted to increase my dose but he added a calcium channel blocker instead.
I still drop into the 40's overnight now I'm on Carvedilol, pharmacist at doctors wanted to increase the dose (currently 3.125mg twice daily) but I refused after tasking advice from a BHF nurse and a cardio rehab physio as I was wary of it impacting my quality of life.
Whilst you should talk to your medical team I wouldn't concern myself unless it was happening regularly and staying low for long periods of time.
mine is always quite low lowest was 36. I had tests done and was diagnosed with Bigeminy and Trigeminy. Cardio consultant took me off bisopropol as that also lowers pulse. It did improve the horrible symptoms I was experiencing but heart rate still varies at night it can go down to mid 40’s. Just waiting for results off 5 day event recorder. Even tonight just had a wibbly wobbly moment. Sat down and now feeling a little better
Are you taking any medication now? And do you still have bigeminy and trigeminy?I have had constant bigeminy and trigeminy for over twelve months, brought on by covid. I was on Bisoprolol which wasn't helping with the arrhythmia and my heart rate was low, often in the thirties and my BP was also low.
I felt so tired, walking upstairs made me breathless and lightheaded, I had many wibbly wobbly moments and needed to sit down for a while. I felt like I had become a little old lady.
My cardiologist changed my medication to Diltiazem which has practically stopped the arrhythmias and my heart rate and BP are normal. I have so much more energy.
I'm hoping 🤞 that at some stage I will be able to come off all the medication, which is why I'm interested to know if you are free of it.
Thank you for your reply it is nice to know I am not on my own. The bigeminy and trigeminy is not so bad these days it has settled down quite a bit. Although do have the odd day when it plays up. Hopefully the results will help a little more. I know how you feel with the tiredness I too feel like an old person.
But since I stopped the Bisoprolol and changed to Diltiazem I'm like a different person, back to my old self. I don't know if this is because of the medication or because the bigeminy and trigeminy have almost disappeared, so I'm hoping I might be able to come off the medication altogether at some point.
Are you taking any medication now for your arrhythmias?
Hi my cardiologist said that my monitor only counted heart beats and not bigeminy beats which then made my heart rate look lower if that makes sense? My heart rate can go as low as 34bpm
Yes that's right, it doesn't count the bigeminy beats. But my BP went very low which was the main thing making me feel so ill. My cardiologist said the bigeminy and trigeminy were a cause for concern because there was no let up, I had one or the other with every heartbeat 24/7, and the activity could damage my heart if it wasn't brought under control. Not to mention the annoyance of having a constant hammering in my chest like Animal from the Muppets banging his drums in there😂 - not pleasant to live with.Changing my medication has helped all round so I'm hoping to get off all medication eventually.
I'm off all meds apart from nitroglycerin if needed I just take supplements. They have noticed how low my heart rate goes when in hospital but never seen concerned yet staff complain about the 24/7 machines bleeping 😐
After a heart bypass last December my BPM is extrodinarily low (around 45 at night). I was also a bit paniced by this as my BPM went to 0 a few times immediately post op! My Consultant did some test, has said that he is quite happy with the low heart rate and I have not noticed any significant issues from that problem. I think you have taken all the right steps, and if your Doctor is happy then I would not worry too much about it.
Hi I have been having this for a few months now my Apple Watch was alerting me lots through the day and at night time mine was going to 39-42 then minutes later it went back up to about 50+
I had a word with the cardiology team and they didn’t seem too bothered about it
Seems to be a little higher now I do check it regularly
Hope you get this sorted do mention it to a medical professional
I would go to A&E, I did as my pulse dropped to 40 and I was admitted and kept in and was told I need a pacemaker. I wasn't advised to leave with a heart monitor.
43 is not really that low. I used to get low 20's. My pacemaker is set to 50 and only goes up when I move. Do you have any symptoms? Devices often do not pick up double and triple beats.
My heart rate at rest can be around 43. It has always been on the low side - 55 or 60 ish but since taking Bisoprolol it has gone lower. I have been checked so many times by GP and Cardiologist and they always say they are not worried as long as I feel fine. My blood pressure is also on the low side but again with no symptoms. Let your health professional know and hopefully they will check you out. I hope all is OK - I know how worrying it is at first.
hi I’m having same issues had a heart attack 5 years ago, ended up in hospital in March as I took a strange turn went to a&e my pulse was 29bpm. Was kept in for a week and diagnosed with bigeminy,. When sent home I had to go to GP weekly to monitor pulse, they were concerned as was still dropping to low 30s and requested an urgent cardiology appt! I do get symptoms sometimes. Waited 6 months to get a heart monitor on for 24 hrs. Which to be honest I feel was a waste of time, I had a monitor on for the 7 days I was in back in March, they got plenty data from that! Still waiting on the 24hour heart monitor result. Best of luck x
41bpm at night is considered normal when asleep and is a far cry from 30bpm which is usually associated with long heart pauses which do require a pacemaker. However should you ever need a pacemaker you will be right as rain again.
Hi.I recently had an episode of AF and when in hospital was taken off 1.25mg of Bisoporol and put on 40mg of Sotalol. The Cardiologist said my heart rate would go down to around 45 when resting and it was nothing to worry about.
I realise we are all different but that is my experience which I thought might help.
my HR dropped to 29-36. I was fast racked to hospital and spent 18 hours in a chair with a couple more days tests
Digoxin and Bisoprolol were stopped and my heart has been ‘normal’ ever since
I’m 12 months post triple bypass
40’s is quite low but not worryingly. But please do get it checked out I phoned my doctors and they insisted I go via ambulance to hospital…. It’s happened twice this year until the cardiologist identified and amended my meds… including the introduction of a GTN ( under tongue) spray
As I said I’ve been so much better since then ( August)
Hi, I’m getting exactly the same, seen the cardiologist had loads of tests all normal, my cardiologist said it’s not a problem and that the heart is about that during sleep any way, mine advised if it becomes a daily problem slightly reduced meds to accommodate it until it raises again, I think just take there advice and try not to worry ( I know that’s hard😂😂)
my heart rate can be in the 30s on my Apple Watch quite regularly. I have ectopic beats like you and apparently they don’t always register on the watch which can give a falsely low reading. Hope that helps x
When I was around your age, my normal resting heart rate (ectopics and hypothyroidism, and I had started running,) was in the low 40s. Heart checked out but I felt like crap. Now that I'm 63 and can't run any more, (osteoporosis, if it's not one thing, it's another, eh?) my heart rate is more like 58. I actually do feel better in that respect. All the best.
Are you fit and healthy? Do you do any cardio sport? My HR can drop below 50 during the day, especially when I am relaxed or resting. My ECG does point it out as Sinus Bradycardia. However, if you dont have any other symptoms - I wouldnt worry too much about it. My resting HR used to be higher, but since my take up of cardio it has gone down slowly but surely. As mentioned above, beta blockers can take it low too.
My resting heart rate was 42- 44 bpm for about 6mths then it slowly climbed up to 49bpm .Cardiologist said as long as there’s no symptoms should be ok. I try not to look at my watch as often as I used to.,but I can’t help looking.😀 Any concerns please check with your Doc. That’s just my story.
hi there, I understand you worrying as this is a new phenomenon to me, started with PVC’s in July absolutely driving me mad - I’m trying to work out which came first the slow heart rate or the PVC’s one causing the other don’t know which - according to my oximetre my HR drops when I have the ectopics it’s gone into the 30’s a few times but mainly 40’s when this happens, I was like you frightened to go to sleep I’ve had 24hr holter which showed the bradycardia and PVC’s - echo chest x-ray normal, awaiting an appointment with cardiology - I try to sleep now rather than worry about it sleep is a bit up the wall anyway- weeks ago I’d gone to A&E and my HR was low they were not concerned about it - try not to worry by all means get checked out with your GP - just wanted to let you know as I think you don’t feel as scared when you know other people are experiencing the same thing as clearly obvious with the number of replies you have received from your post I’m with you on the anxiety that in itself makes you feel horrible in the meantime take care 😊
In 2018 I had my 2nd pulmonary embolism. Whilst in hospital for that it was found that my resting HR was constantly in low 40s. Cardio responded like many have said here ….. no symptoms, no intervention.
It took 4 years for symptoms to surface (aging taking place too ….. now 76). Extreme SOB, AFib, LVH, Stage 2 diastolic dysfunction, PE remnants “scarring” lungs and finally bradytachy where resting HR was volatile between 30 and 150.
You may not follow my path of symptoms but you should consider cardio overviewing perhaps annually.
Technically, anything below 60 is considered brady.
Your on a beta blocker. I'm on something similar, did your pharmacist give you any advice? I was told about my beta blocker, that it would reduce my HR. It was in the 50s before medication and after it was<40. The pharmacist told me if it goes lower than that (30s) to see the GP, that did'nt happen.
3 months later HR suddenly went up to 60s by itself.
I have BAV with ectopic beats. My resting heart rate is around 52 but can drop to 39 whilst sleeping. My cardiologist has reassured me this is ok . Please try not to worry sometimes if my rate gets low whilst resting I move about a bit to increase it .
I had same problem about 3 years ago. With a 24 hours Holter it was discovered that at night my HR was down to 38BPM. My cardiologist advised a Pacemaker, which in fact it was inserted at the NSH, an since my heart rate is in control not to go further down under 50 BPM. However a year ago I had one episode of VT and changed my pacemaker to an ICD which seems it is doing the job well. Maybe in your current condition is advisable to discuss with your cardiologist if you need a Pacemaker. Hope you get better soon.
Hi, I'm a 66yo SCA survivor, 3 years on. I'm on Bisoprolol, though a low 1.25 dose now. I wear a Polar H10 chest monitor when cycling, it's very accurate. Recently I noticed on a ride that my heart rate wasn't getting up to where it normally would, and when resting it was down in the low 50s rather than the normal 58-60. I found that it was dropping into the 40s when totally at rest, I'd kept the monitor on. It took about a week to return to norm-for-me. My clinical pharmacist told me last week that they get concerned if the HR gets below 40. My blood pressure was fine. Watches in particular can struggle with ectopics. It is a worry and the paradox is that the worry makes more worry.
hello , do you take you medication the exact time every day , I do Mon - Thurs, because I take mine fri to sun later than the other 4 days , because I like a lie in , because I work at 5 in morning ,,my Apple Watch alerts me that it’s too low , but corrects it when I’ve took my medication.
Hello ChasNick hope your ok - can I ask how do you feel with your low pulse rate mine can bob up only to the 70’s but it can be quite low when resting sometimes even moving around there is no rhyme or reason to it I have been diagnosed with bradycardia and lots of PVC’s currently awaiting an appointment with rapid access chest pain clinic I wouldn’t say there’s been anything rapid about it so far😂 are you symptomatic I just feel off colour - I had a better sleep last night which was wonderful but sleep generally is hit and Miss! So I was just wondering how you cope with the slowness of it 😊
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