Slow heart rate - any experience/thoughts?

[MoChroi]

DH recently had a health check and was shown to have high blood pressure, so he got a BP monitor to take home. Naturally I had a go on it. I've always had fairly low blood pressure. I'm sometimes a bit breathless/dizzy but nothing major.

I'm anaemic and on iron tablets. I have a blood test next week to check if they're working. I've checked my BP a few times with the monitor and my heart rate is consistently under 60 - between 54 and 57 - and my last BP 94/68. My BP is technically within normal range everything I read about heart rate says that it shouldn't be under 60 unless you're very fit or an athlete. I am relatively fit but definitely not an athlete.

Apart from the anaemia I have no health issues and am on no medication.

I don't know if I'm just odd or if this is something I should have investigated further, so I'm curious to hear from people who've had something similar.

It may be perfectly healthy for you.

Not me but my DH and 2 DSs have naturally low resting heart rates. DH and DS1 low 50s and DS2 mid 40s. They’ve all been checked and totally fit and healthy! However they don’t have any symptoms of dizziness or breathlessness which we were told was a sign that it should be investigated further.

I have a low heart rate, it’s typically under 60. You could mention it when you’re next at the GP but I don’t think it would worry them particularly. If it’s very low it’s more worrying. My blood pressure has always been low too. As long as you’ve no other symptoms I wouldn’t worry.

This is me! I could have written your post. I had an ECG because of ectopic beats and feeling a bit faint.... and my HR was 44. Nurse fetched GP in who wasn't at all concerned.
That was a few years ago and I'm still here

44! Gosh. Did they ever find anything going on?

I have ectopics and a low heart rate.

It was explained to me that the ECG does not register the weaker ectopic beat, so is only noting the stronger "proper" beats. As I have a 15% burden of ectopics my heart rate appears to be between 45 and 55bpm.

No treatment suggested.

My (female, late 40s) average resting heart rate is around 40. I exercise moderately 4 times a week, plus a lot of walking. I’m by no means super fit, but that’s normal for me. A life insurer did once send me off for an ECG before they would insure me and it was all fine. Normal is different for different people, and women tend to be lower than men.

My HR has always been about 54. I'm 55 yrs old and never had any issues.

What do you mean by relatively fit but no athlete though? I run a few times a week and my heart rate is the same. When I've had periods of not running it goes up to the low to mid 60s. So you don't have to be an athlete necessarily.

Certainly worth mentioning though at your next appointment

I have a naturally low resting heart rate and am definitely not at all fit. I think it's genetic as my father is the same. If you feel well then it isn't generally anything to be concerned about.

That's interesting about ectopic heartbeats - I wonder if I have something similar.

In terms of fitness - I exercise about 3-4 hours a week. I used to run but my knees can't take it anymore.

Mine were picked up.on an 8 day Holter monitor and an echocardiogram. But my blood pressure monitor sometimes finds them as well and sets off the " dodgy heart " alarm!

My HR is low partly due to genetics and partly because I exercise a lot - run 3 times a week and cross train.

60 means I’m unfit.
Currently mid 50s, but have got below 50 at my fittest.

I’m in my 60s and that’s just what’s normal for me.

My BP is another matter. I’m on medication to keep it lower.

My overweight but regular exerciser DH had a resting heart rate of 50. It was normal for him.

My heart rate and blood pressure are also low, mine’s been as low as 45, my DF’s were as well. I feel as though it’s protective against a range of things, although I can sometimes get dizzy when I stand up. When I was in hospital after having an operation, the nurse kept making me sit up and drink water every hour through the night because she kept telling me my blood pressure and heart rate were too low, I was trying to convince her that they were exactly the same as normal but computer said no. In the end, I refused to be monitored at all as I figured sleep was more valuable to me.

My resting heart rate is consistently under 60, usually mid 50’s now and I’m fit but not an athlete. However it has come down from 60 as I’ve done more exercise over the last year. Also have fairly low blood pressure and postural hypotension.

Thanks for the replies, they're very reassuring. I will mention it to the GP next time I go.