low diastolic and pulse rate

[oldhuntress]

I am 90 years old - my systolic is normally in the 120's my diastolic generally in the low 50's and pulse is in upper 40's/low 50's - my GP wants me to have ecgs - but when previously checked no problem was found. My Gp thinks my pulse rate is too low - but I am physically fit - mow the lawn 0,7 acre, walk into town without getting tired etc - concerned he wants to start dosing me?

[Happyrosie]

I absolutely love your name! I take it you aren’t on any therapy now? Your pulse rate is indeed low, but your BP readings are wonderful.

In your position I would read the website of Blood Pressure UK and if you’re no further ahead give them a ring -:I’ve never had to speak to them personally but I’m told they are very helpful.

[springcross]

Hi oldhuntress. Your pulse rate does sound a little low but it's not necessarily anything to worry about and it's good that your GP is looking after you and just wants to check it out. It won't do any harm to have another ECG and it will hopefully put yours and your GPs minds at rest. You can also do what Happyrosie has suggested and ring the Blood Pressure UK helpline and ask advice from them. Good luck and please let us now how you get on. x

[oldhuntress in reply to springcross]

I am not on any form of medicine and at the present covid wary time the GP has abdicated all appointments and prescription specs to the local surgery pharmasist -and having seen how various heart meds side effects have caused a deterioration in my spouses quality of life I do not wish to follow that path if I can avoid it. Thanks for your advice but I am concerned that the pharmasist appears to fpllow a very narrow approach to push pill usage without taking a hollistic approach.

[bamboo89]

Pulse or heart rate, a healthy one, is usually around 60 -90 beats per minute, but athletes can often be lower at 45, 50. If you're not an athlete (and I assume you're not) your heart rate is pretty low and may indicate an underlying health problem - information in this link healthline.com/health/dange....

If you're on any medication, that might be making an impact, but I think an ECG is a good idea, although I wonder why he's not taking bloods to check your electrolytes if the doc's concerned... if its an electrolyte problem, that can be easily corrected just with a change in diet or supplements, but ultimately, a low heart rate might just be 'normal for you'. I'd let 'em do their checks - whatever the results are, remember, if you don't want to take any treatments they offer, you don't have to😉

Miriam

[ling]

Age 90 wow!My mom's 86.

If you are developing a slow heart rate, and if there's a need to fix it, a pacemaker can be considered.

I think the more concerning statistic is the lowering diastolic number against the systolic. The difference between the two is known as the pulse pressure.

A widening pulse pressure has implications. So the lowering diastolic number bears watching.

I hope you can see a cardio to get it checked out. BP and heart issues can be closely related.

Best wishes.