Went to the GP this morning for a number of bits n bobs, one of which I told him that each day I am getting a pulse reading of 31 from my smart-device. (I put a posting on this site the other day about it). His direction to me (and he's put it on my medical record) is to dial 999 if my pulse hits 45 with or without any other symptoms. I'm down for an ECG next week before he writes to my Cardio Consultant, but I am really reluctant to press the big Red button. To be honest if I followed what he said I would now be in Hospital as I have an indication that I dropped to 37 earlier on. I am not seeking permission from anyone to disregard the GP advice but I do think it's a bit extreme.
I have purchased a new Oximeter which will provide data to my phone so I can track for how long I am under the 45 limit so that I have some data to back up my position. I really don't want to turn up at the Hospital just because my watch blipped down for a second or two.
I'm torn between which way to go with this?
Thanks
Written by
GoldfishPond
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When/if you get a pulse reading of lower 30s off your smart device I suggest you take your pulse the old way from your wrist or any other preferred place on your body. And if the readings correspond, do what your doctor says. But if your manual pulse is a lot higher you know what to trust and you can then decide what to do.
Doctors and other medical professionals always go the safest route. If you are in the UK you could be waiting hours for an ambulance and then more hours in A&E, I wouldn't push the button either.
How do you feel when your heart rate gets that low? Is your watch showing correct readings? I know my smart watch doesn't give correct readings for blood pressure and I don't see how it can when a wrist cuff isn't that reliable, either. Just a thought.
I think if your heart rate was in the low 30’s for a long time you would have symptoms. In that case you need to get help. If it’s only for a short time and you feel fine, I would not go to A&E. Like others say, take your pulse manually to make sure it really is that low.
If it’s a one off reading on your device is likely just an ectopic of two occurring or something. If it’s your device telling you your heart rate is in the 30s for minutes on end then you will have symptoms, unless you’re asleep.
My watch will give me a one off reading which is very high (say 150) and it’s given me a reading of 0 before too! But my heart rate was never zero and likely never 150 as it’s only one measurement. See pic as an example. However, if it’s consistently high or low, it will alert me with a notification. This happens when it’s low or high for 10 minutes or more.
Here is an example last week when my heart rate was dropping below 50 for 10 minutes or more and my watch was alerting me. It doesn’t alert for a one off reading though. Are yours one off readings or over a period of time?
Heart rate app showing below 50 beats for more than 10 minutes
And here is another high jump - but just a one off reading. I doubt my heart suddenly jumped up that high and the watch doesn’t keep measuring as if it sensed any issue.
I've tried a couple of friends smart watches and if I went by them I would be calling the undertaker. They just don't seem to work for me. Only thing I can think of is I am "skinny" compared to a lot of people. I do know when I was in hospital after OH surgery and was on a temporary pacemaker, if they turned it down too low I certainly knew about. Personally I would question the accuracy of your smart watch.
After 5 years of investigations, my wife had a pacemaker fitted a year ago for TLoC: heart pauses in excess of 20 seconds. Prior to having a pacemaker fitted, her resting heart rate was often very low. Her cardiologist told her that no one was going to collapse with a heart rate of 40bps.
Getting a cardiac diagnosis can be a slow and tortuous process. Unless a GP has specialised in cardiology then their knowledge is ‘general’: hence, the advice to go to A&E. An ECG may not reveal any issues nor may a one/three day holter monitor.
My wife when through all of this and more. We paid for a 14 day holter monitor. This revealed nothing conclusive so she had a Loop Recorder fitted. A month later she had two TLoC episodes about 3 hours apart so we went to our local A&E. Her ECG was normal.
We then waited for the pacing team to come to work. The data pull from the ILR confirmed both TLoC episodes so she was admitted immediately into the ACU. It was a frightening experience changing from a ‘why are you here patient’ to one lying on a gurney wired up to an ECG monitor whilst covered in ‘fall risk’ stickers etc. She had a pacemaker fitted almost 5 years to the day from the date of her first TLoC episode. The pacemaker is now known affectionately known as Patience.
It is also worth noting the difference in diagnostic systems between the UK and, say, the US. The US system is pro-active with scans etc. The NHS system is based on Occam’s Razor. If a patient has a syncope/TLoC episode then after a ECG the first course of action is, for example, to rule out a BP medication by changing it. With episodes months apart, it then becomes a ‘rinse and repeat’ exercise particularly with ever changing GPs. We broke the cycle by seeing a private cardiologist.
as others have said check your pulse manually. If you’re asymptomatic a second or so on your watch (as you say)- is more likely poor contact than anything else. Buying another gadget to check out the first isn’t necessarily the answer.
The things like this that we use should aid our understanding and judgment but not overtake it. Any concerns then should be checked out by a doctor.
Hi, for four days whilst taking Bisopropol my pulse continually dropped to 31 for 10 minutes or more. On the 4th day I called 111 and they advised A & E. After an extremely long wait the doctor informed me that if I was feeling ok, not feeling dizzy or passing out then all was ok …and home I went. My cardiologist said the same when I saw him although now I take Nebevilol and am a 50 average. It was my GP that told me anything in the 40’s was a real problem….if that was the case I’d never be out of A & E. I think if you’re continually that low you’d need to get advice to be on the safe side. All the best….
My doctor said go straight to hospital. The hospital despite having no available chairs put a wheelchair next to the nurses station so that they could keep an eye on me
Doctors will always go the darkest possible route. Why. Because if something happens then what’s left of you, or your next of kin will be first to step up and sue for malpractice
At the end of the day I was in hospital for 4 days and my heart rate went from a low of 29 -36 up to normal 60’s
One wanted to fit a pacemaker it all ended up being cured when the adjusted my meds ( the medication prescribed by them) No pacemaker required
One other thought I would offer… people are always quick to criticise modern technology. Remember it means you are monitoring with apples for apples. Ie if it’s a dodgy measurement because of lack of calibration or whatever. Then it is the same inaccuracy every time. Easy to integrity check the readings from the oxy meter or BP machine which will all give a comparable reading as indeed will fingertips on wrist (old fashioned) if a set of scales weigh you 2 pound heavier you don’t ignore ‘fat’ days because it’s technology at fault
I felt a terrible drain on the NHS being forced to hospital, good job I went or I’d possibly be dead now….
Honestly I ignore it then went to hospital. But it actually turned out to be serious. So I am afraid you do need to listen to the gp. Mine use to drop to 29. But since medication it doesn't.
I think he means if it stays that low. Quite often a heart beat will go up and down for a short period with no adverse effects if it's that low for a long period may not be enough to pump your blood around effectively
have you tried taking your pulse the old fashioned way, with a couple of fingers on a pulse point and a timer? it is quick, reliable and provides extra info about how strong and regular your pulse is - smart devices are not accurate if a pulse is irregularbhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....
Really difficult not completely related but I had a stent 18 months ago. Still get some chest pain, sometimes worse than others. on three occasions I have contacted the GP and they have always said go to hospital at once. When I get there the hospital are pretty much there is nothing new wrong with you, why are you here.
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