Slow heart rate
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Anonymous
| I’m 29 y/o and almost 4 months post partum. Historically my heart rate has been in the 80s. In late pregnancy, it increased to high 90s, low 100s. Now, at rest, my heart rate is in the 57-64 bpm range. I had a physical yesterday and my EKG was normal. I’ve never been an athlete. In the last month I started walking/lightly jogging 2 miles a day every other day, which is the extent of my exercise. I don’t feel light headed or dizzy. When I’m up and active, walking around the house, cooking, etc., my heart rate is in the 70s. Dr. said she only gets concerned if someone has a low heart rate and symptoms. Is anyone else in this boat? I will say that I tend to be a high anxiety/stress person and for the last few months I’ve felt much more relaxed. Mainly, DH and I have historically had marital and financial issues and they have significantly resolved so I feel as stressed. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Trying to figure out what’s going on with my body! |
Anonymous
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57-60 is normal. I’m not sure what you are worried about. Below from the American Heart Association.
Is resting heart rate different by age? For most of us (adults), between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) is normal. The rate can be affected by factors like stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and how physically active you are. An athlete or more active person may have a resting heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute. Now that’s chill! When it comes to resting heart rate, lower is better. It usually means your heart muscle is in better condition and doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a steady beat. Studies have found that a higher resting heart rate is linked with lower physical fitness and higher blood pressure and body weight. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/target-heart-rates |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks! I guess because my doctor didn’t say “oh that’s totally normal” made me a bit concerned. She said what I mentioned earlier, plus we’ll see how it is during the EKG. Maybe her saying the EKG was normal means there’s nothing wrong. |
Anonymous
| Doctors don’t know much. Sad, but true. Your heart rate sounds completely fine. |
Anonymous
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Congrats on resolving a stressor in your life.
Your heart rate sounds normal. I would encourage you to reflect and see what you need to do to take care of yourself and manage your stress. I wish in my early 30s and I had the experience I have now. Figure out - does journaling help you, meditation, something else. |
Anonymous
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Why did you get an EKG? That isn’t usually part of a normal physical for a 29 yr old. Is there something in regards to your heart that concerned your Dr? I just can’t believe they would
Want to give you an EKG because your heart rate is 60…which is totally normal |
Anonymous
| Mine is in the low 50s. My dad is in his 70s and his is regularly in the 40s. He was told that the absence of any other symptoms it's not a concern. In the absence of other symptoms it needs to be investigated and a pacemaker can be considered. He doesn't have any symptoms. |
Anonymous
| Do you have any symptoms of hypothyroid? Your heart rate is normal but it sounds like it decreased a lot since pre-pregnancy so it’s low for you. Pregnancy can affect your thyroid. |
Anonymous
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I have a really low heart rate (38-51) and have had to use medication and diet changes to help with it because I was having chest pain and dizziness. Your heart rate sounds perfectly normal, especially if you are symptom free.
Also- before we all had smart watches, none of us knew our heart rate at any given moment! My doctor says that lots of people are becoming hyper aware of their heart rate when really, heart rate is not an accurate measure of overall health. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks for the replies. My doctor always does an EKG at physicals. Not sure why. Still waiting on my bloodwork so not sure on thyroid issues. No symptoms though. |
Anonymous
OP here. Good point! |
Anonymous
I know why. ($$$) |
Anonymous
| My resting HR is really low -- in the mid 40s. But a friend told me the real question is whether your heart performs normally. So for example, when I run it's in the high 160s or low 170s at the end of my run, but it recovers to 110 within 2 minutes of stopping exercise. So all of that is normal. That made me feel better. |
Anonymous
| I had a very low heart rate immediately postpartum. But it was like 45bpm low and in the two weeks following birth. It eventually resolved on its own. If your EKG was normal I wouldn't worry. I would ensure you're hydrated and eating enough salt. Salt is not the evil it's universally portrayed as. Hope you feel better! |