Is my resting heart rate to slow ?

Question

I have experienced chest discomfort for the last 6 to 7 years , have had numerous tests done and all come back normal, I am on lipitor , which I have stopped taking to see if that helps with the muscle and chest pain, I currently am taking prvicid for acid reflux. My blood pressure is perfect. I also take CoQ10 , Omega 3 fish oil, and a multivitamin daily. I try to maintain a healthy life style and currently about 10 pounds overweight , I try to lift weights 3 times a week and do High intenstity interval cardio 3 days a week. My resting heart rate is between 47 and 52 bpm most mornings and daily average is around 66 bpm , when I do cardio exercises it will average between 149 bpm and 180 bpm and within 2 minutes of ending cardio be back down around 100 bpm, I don't consider myself a well conditioned athlete and at 46 years old, am a bit concerned that maybe my heart should be beating faster to supply my body with the oxygen it needs, my doctors I feel don't really believe me. Thanks

Answer 1

A resting heart rate of 47 to 52 is highly desireable. With your exercise regimen as it is, your low resting heart rate is a sign that you are in good cardio vascular health. Your supplement regimen is also a plus. Although there are other things that can cause a reduced resting heart rate, it is generally, at least for those that exercise, an indication of there cardio vascular health. Have you always had a low resting heart rate, or was it only since the onset of your exercise? I was formerly employed by a clinic that did cardiac stress tests, and the resting heart that you described is lower than most, but well within normal ranges. It has been my experience that patients that were in poor condition had higher resting heart rates, and were more likely than those with lowere resting heart rates to come back with poor test results. There are all sorts of things that can cause chest pain, stress and anxiety, diet issues, etc. If you have had cardiac tests done and all comes back normal, I wouldn't sweat it to much unless you have a family history of heart disease, or have lived an unhealthy life style that you believe would be a contributing factor to premature heart disease. If that is the case, I would recommend a nuclear stress test. It's about the best not invasive test for coronary blockages. Feel free to email me should you want further info. The very best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Since you're already under care of a doctor I will offer my totally unprofessional opinion. But having been a runner for 20 years, I know a little about exercise.

First, I don't think your heart rate is too low. You train and do cardio, so it should be lower than normal.

Second, possibly the discomfort is due to the acid reflux. My wife is 29 and she had an upper exploratory exam because of similar problem. But the exam where they run a scope into the throat down the esophogas into the stomach, the doc was able to see the problem.

Have you had a treadmill stress test?

Good Luck

Answer 3

I would get a complete work up from a cardiologist ASAP, and a good one, don't go back to the one you saw previously. Armstrong and other athletes have other factors contributing to low bpm's. Boundries of what, what is happening otherwise with your healther, because your heart rate is not normal for a 41 yr old. Much to low, maybe if you were older I would understand. It is too low now, I'm concerned.

Answer 4

I understand that most top athletes have a resting heart rate similar to yours. You also have perfect blood pressure... and with the amount of exercise you take I think you are in good order (not that I'm a medical person), but your statistics are quite good. Perhaps you are simply overanxious by temperament. In your condition and at your age, I would be quite happy.

Answer 5

Many people should be so lucky