New here, seeing advice, regular slow heart

[Fitbit-Joe]

Hi Im Joe, from Glasgow, and Im 54 years old, diagnosed with bradycardia, and low blood pressure, around 2007. As a youth in my teens, I used to blackout a lot, and never knew why, it happened. Most times it happened, when I stood up after sitting down, and in church had collapsed a few times. And in church my mum used to tell me of for nodding of, I felt I couldn't help this, but was this a sign to show that my health wasn't that good, and usually got clipped round the ear

My health hasn't always been that great, but seem to manage, but when I go and see my doctor, with regards my symptoms, due to slow heart rate, nothing seems to be found, like what's causing me to be so exhausted, chest pain, so on

The last 18 months has been good to me, no major symptoms, maybe tired and that about it, but when I haven't been feeling that good. I find myself getting out of breath, lightheaded, palpitations, occasional chest pain, fatigued, especially in work, and the more fatigued I get I get easily confused. A lot of the times, I'm constantly yawning, and this only happens in my workplace; my doctor doesn't know why this is

Now my workplace is a supermarket, where I work on self scans tills, 4 days per week, doing 7 hour shifts on my feet constantly moving. In a 7 hour shift I can do between 22,000 - 27,000 steps. Have asked my doctor, if I'm doing to much work, and is it causing some of my problems; couldn't give me an answer

I consider myself a fit person, as I go to the gym regularly and cycle most days, and recently took part in the pedal for scotland event

I have a fitbit ionic, which I use most days to log my runs, or cycles, along with checking my sleeping patterns, and resting heart rate

Over the last few years I have seen my resting heart rate, come down from 48 bpm, to 45 bpm. Now last week, I wasn't feeling well, usual symptoms, but my resting heart rate was 42 bpm, and when I was a sleep, heart rate was 31 bpm

Have some questions, if anyone can help

(1) Can physical exertion, which includes work, and being on your feet all day, can this bring on exhaustion, fatigue and so on.

I know if working out in the gym, they recommend taking breaks from working certain muscles groups, as if you work the same muscles group, it can lead to fatigue that group

(2) My resting heart rate, is there any point where such a rate, might be considered to low. What causes my resting heart rate to drop, is it my level of fitness.

Nov 2012, just for one day, found myself really groggy, and that time had a FR70 garmin watch. Feeling unwell I attached the hrm strap, and thank god I did, my heart rate was 25 bpm, ambulance was called, and by the next day, I had recovered, and no cause was found why my heart rate was so low

(3) What causes Excessive yawning, my doctor and consultant are puzzled why this happens. Previous echo gram, showed a hole in my heart, been there most of my life, and only time discussed with me was in 2009. Read many articles on Excessive yawning, but could find anything related to work or buildings

(4) Excessive yawning in relation to buildings, a building which doesn't get fresh air, and customers breathing out carbon dioxide, possibly causing high levels of carbon dioxide. Could the problems with my health, be related to a building that doesn't get fresh air, should say, when Im of on holiday for 2 weeks, dont get any of these problems with my health, infact its the other way round

Anyone which can help me, I would be most appreciated, as I dont think Im getting anywhere with my doctor, and maybe getting to the point, I need to change doctors

I'm disappointed that with seeing various consultants, we haven't got down to the issue, and found out what wrong

[Amz1987]

I have no insight other than I’d be changing drs.

[siouxbee19]

Hi Joe, and welcome!

Your bradycardia could be caused by so many things, but since you've had problems since childhood ( I used to pass out in church as well, once next to a nun of all people 😀), I am wondering if it's a genetic issue. Mine is, but causes tachycardia instead.

Have you received a proper, full cardiologist or better yet, electrophysiologist work up? I would most definitely switch to a new doctor, and also push to see a specialist, someone who is highly trained in this regard.

I am thoroughly surprised you've not received a pacemaker/ICD for your seriously low rate. This can cause the brain and other organs to not receive enough oxygen, causing many problems, of which you've posted several.

I would definitely keep track of your vitals, and get in to see a specialist as soon as possible. Better to be on the safe side, right? That's what my electrophysiologist told me many times over the years.

Of course I'm no medical expert, but do have HCM and an ICD/pacemaker, and years of personal experience dealing with these issues.

Please let us hear an update...be well!

[sherbertlemon in reply to siouxbee19]

last year i awoke to heart rate of 210 beats a minute and required emergency heart ablation surgery as the heart electrics were totally stuffed. Im still tachycardic but nowhere near as bad. Fast AND slow heart beats may mean your blood pressure isnt right. Try standing more slowly and ensure you feel balanced before walking to ensure oxygen to the brain. I had a gadget to read my heart output a year ago put into my chest as they found that my heart rate was 'normal' at appointments as theyre ONLY testing what is happening at THAT particular time. But the device in my chest shows Im NOT neurotic or fibbing for attention. It would be worth asking for this device as it records every single heart beat even when you fall over/faint.. its like a pacemaker but RECORDS whats happening during episodes.

[siouxbee19 in reply to sherbertlemon]

Thank you for your post! Yes, I did all that testing early on for years prior to my defibrillator/pacemaker implant. A few of the tests included wearing countless Holter monitors, an implanted loop recorder, on & on. Even though I had so many symptoms, it finally took a positive gene test before they outfitted me with an ICD/pacemaker. And the kicker through all this? None of those monitors or recorders picked up any bad arrhythmias, I first detected ventricular tachycardia whilst home monitoring my blood pressure/heart rate on my Omron home unit!! Go figure! Why didn't it show up on any of those doctor's tests? Very frustrating! It's been 17 years since I first went to the doctor for my symptoms, although I've had them all my life, I hve genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thankfully they finally gave me the implant and with meds, I'm doing lots better! Wishing everyone the best...