Heart: Pulse Pressure; Resting Heart Rate?

Question

I am confused. I am 66 yrs old. My Resting Heart rate when last measured at the Cardiologist was 48 and my Blood Pressure 130/70. I have been a Runner for over thirty years and on a recent Stress test was able to go to 166 bpm at a workload of 240 watts. What I wonder about is a resting pulse pressure greater then 50 a warning sign.

Answer 1

A resting pulse of 48 is good.

Are you on a beta blocking medication?

If this is so, then your cardiologist may well be trying to reduce the workload of the heart and would not want you to have a high resting heart rate.

Pulse pressure is a different matter.

If you have a high pulse pressure, it is possible you have a valvular heart disorder - most commonly a leaky valve - particularly aortic regurgitation)

Answer 2

You sound fine to me. My blood pressure yesterday was 136/86 and my doctor considered this ok for my age (71). I have a wrist monitor and that gives as Normal range 130/85; High normal as 130-139/85-89; Hypertension as 140/90. My heart rate is 50 bpm but then I am on beta blockers for atrial fibrillation. Your rate of 48 is excellent - it is what lots of athletes strive for as a fitness level. My resting pulse before the beta blockers was around 69-75 which was normal for me. The only reason it has been slowed down is because of the recent start of fibrillations. The resting pulse of greater than 50 is not a warning sign unless of course you feel very unwell. I think you are fine but check that the pulse rate does not sink much lower. This is only as I see things - I am not medically trained but since my diagnosis I have had to enquire about things to do with the heart .
Patsy 72

Answer 3

Could be a warning, But , why were you having a stress test in the first place.?

Answer 4

No, not in your case.