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AIBU?

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Original poster

When to get medical help for low pulse?

30 replies

cinnamonswirls3 · 11/03/2025 09:29

Hey just wondered if anyone could help!

Does anyone know how low a heart rate is too low?
ie I know for some people it’s absolutely normal to have a heart rate in the 30s/40s and it’s actually not a concern, just wondered at what point is it too low?

I’ll try and keep it anonymous but basically the context is I got put on a medication that I don’t feel is right for me- it lowers resting heart rate, I flagged up that my resting heart rate is normally in the 50s and I don’t want or need it going lower (it was higher in hospital because of sheer exhaustion and stress) but they didn’t seem to believe me and told me to take this anyway. I’ve since found out that it’s not supposed to be used on resting heart rates under 70

since taking the medication my heart rate barely comes above 40 and it feels absolutely awful. I’ve had it sit in the 30s and dip into the 20s too

im waiting for an appt to see my dr to hopefully get off this medication because it’s felt awful, but in the meantime i was wondering at what point should i be concerned that it’s too low? Obviously in the 10s/10-20s is too low but in the 30s if I’m symptomatic is it generally ok to ride it out? Just thinking my only option would really be a&e but equally it’s not really an accident or emergency since I know it’s just from taking the medication and it’s been going on for a few weeks now, but equally if I was symptomatic would it be ok to go for this? Really don’t want to be a time waster

ah so confusing! I know it’s a very niche situation so not expecting any specific advice but just wondered if anyone knew anything at all

thank you x

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 11/03/2025 09:32

Were you given a beta blocker?

If so it sounds like you are on too much. Totally not a time waster, needs an early appointment.

NewtonsCradle · 11/03/2025 09:32

That's definitely too low. Ring 111 and see if you can talk to a GP.

Happystrider1 · 11/03/2025 09:33

Mine sits high 50's/low 60's at rest it can dip below 50 at night. However this is using a smart watch rather an hospital equipment. I do naturally also have a low blood pressure.

I would say if you are feeling unwell with it then A&E or 111. I wouldn't want to be driving or doing anything responsible with a low heart rate that's making me feel like that.

GettingThroughLifeOneGlassOfWineAtaTime · 11/03/2025 09:36

Definitely on the low side, particularly if you're symptomatic. What is the medication and why were you given it on the first place? It's not usually advisable to stop some medications suddenly but I would get an urgent appointment or call 111.

Original poster
cinnamonswirls3 · 11/03/2025 09:41

No, ivrabradine

I was on different medication for a different heart arrhythmia but they took me off it and said to try ivabradine instead because my resting heart rate was high, I flagged up it was only temporarily high because I was exhausted and stressed in hospital, it’s normally in the 50s anyway because I play a lot of sports, but they said to try it anyway. it’s been awful! Think the lowest it’s been was 27. Didn’t want to be a time waster but equally didn’t know what to do so just rode it out

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 11/03/2025 09:42

You need to be ringing 111 now and don't take any more medication until you have been seen by a doctor.

LonelyLeveret · 11/03/2025 11:37

I work in A+E and I think this is a reasonable presentation, especially if it's making you feel unwell. I see a lot of people attending with possible side effects from medication. It's quick and easy for us to do an ECG to check the underlying rhythm / rate. If nothing very worrying you might get advised for GP follow up at that point but you're not wasting anyone's time.

Laffydaffy · 11/03/2025 11:38

I second, third and fourth going to emergency/calling triple 1. Too low and a real concern. As soon as possible.

Edited to add that the average resting heart-rate should be between 60-100 beats per minute. People who have lower heart-rates are generally extremely fit and, of course, there are some other exceptions.

Fibrous · 11/03/2025 11:39

My sleeping RHR is high 30s and I've mentioned it to my GP etc and they said it's fine if I'm not having symptoms. Blood pressure normal. I'm no athlete but I'm very active and have hypothyroidism.

Superscientist · 11/03/2025 11:42

When it makes you feel rubbish then it's time to seek help.

I'm the other way, my normal heart rate is 90-105 and always has been. I feel completely fine. For another person this would be high and they feel grotty and should seek help and advice. I had labyrinthitis and my resting heart rate went up to 140-160 and then I felt awful. I had several checks with the Dr over the two weeks and it went away with my labyrinthitis.

endofthelinefinally · 11/03/2025 11:43

If you read the patient information leaflet it actually tells you to call your doctor straight away if your heart rate drops low. 27 bpm is dangerously low. A quick google will tell you that 70 bpm is average. 40 is very concerning unless you are a top athlete.

ScaredAndPanicky · 11/03/2025 12:08

When my medication was regularly making my heart rate drop to 30 my doc took me off it straight away. It went back to normal fairly quickly afterwards.

Esperanza25 · 11/03/2025 12:15

I'm not medically trained but 27 seems very low. I too have a low resting heart rate - 47- 55 is normal for me. I've had it lower due to medication and was taken off it immediately following an ECG. I was symptomatic though and had felt scarily unwell in the night. If I were you I would as a minimum contact your GP.

Original poster
cinnamonswirls3 · 11/03/2025 21:14

Thanks for the advice. Sorry if this is an obvious/daft question, but when people are saying to call 111/go and get help etc, is that for a specific heart rate? As in, I’m assuming that whilst not pleasant it’s not dangerous to be in the high 30s/40s so would it be if it went into the 20s again I should get it checked?

I went to my gp but they couldn’t really help unfortunately as it was a consultant who started fbe medication so I’ve just got to wait for the appointment with the consultant to review it, hopefully it won’t be too long but frustrating waiting and feeling rubbish in the meantime x

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 11/03/2025 21:18

My mum collapsed and was taken into
hospital with a heart rate of 30. As she’d been in heart failure for a while they kept her in for a week until she’d had a pacemaker fitted and tinkered with her medication.
I’d suggest getting that checked out rather soon op. I’m not saying you need a pacemaker btw!!! But it’s very low unless you’re a high level athlete. Maybe even for one of those sorts it’s still very low…

Dbche2974dbdb · 11/03/2025 21:20

Look, ring 111, you feel awful and your heart rate is much lower than normal - waiting until it dips to a dangerously low rate might mean waiting until you are too unwell or confused to call for help.
No heart = no life , they won't have a problem with you raising this.

OneQuirkyPanda · 11/03/2025 21:34

I work in cardiology and we flag heart rates of less than 50 if symptomatic and less than 40 if asymptomatic for urgent medical review. I would definitely call 111. Also, do not drive.

TheWellSungGame · 11/03/2025 21:38

That's too low and you're not feeling okay.

You need to make a fuss until someone sorts this out.

I'd phone 111 tonight and try to get a doctor brave enough to help you. They might not but there aren't any penalty points for an unsatisfying 111 call, so it's with a try. If not, get on to your secondary team tomorrow. Do not wait until a routine appointment. This is an acute issue and it needs addressing without delay. If they don't help you, go back to your GP and ask them to send an urgent letter to your consultant for some timely guidance.

And with symptomatic low heart rate I'd really suggest you shouldn't be driving, if you're a driver.

wandawaves · 11/03/2025 21:42

Can you call your doctor and explain to the receptionist that your heartrate is dropping very very low and you want to know if you should stop taking the meds from today. Tell them you need to know today. They should surely be able to ask the doctor?

Otherwise, yes, I would be getting medical attention if I were you.

titchy · 11/03/2025 21:45

Why can't you just stop the ivabradine - you don't need your GP do you? Dc tried it for a month and hated it so just swapped back to original medication.

SleepyRich · 11/03/2025 21:45

Paramedic here, if your heart rate is persisting below 40 then id seek assessment sooner, (a&e really I think would be the only option - I'm not sure oogp would want to touch you with a symptomatic bradycardia - they'll just send you to a&e if they get the same HR as you) especially if you're feeling unwell - dizzy on standing, exhausted/sob by minor exertion, palpitations.

If you're taking your heart rate over a minute and it's above 40 + you don't have the above symptoms at present my advise for what it's worth on an online forum would be to see your GP tomorrow, obviously don't take any more of the medication in the meantime.

endofthelinefinally · 11/03/2025 21:46

cinnamonswirls3 · 11/03/2025 21:14

Thanks for the advice. Sorry if this is an obvious/daft question, but when people are saying to call 111/go and get help etc, is that for a specific heart rate? As in, I’m assuming that whilst not pleasant it’s not dangerous to be in the high 30s/40s so would it be if it went into the 20s again I should get it checked?

I went to my gp but they couldn’t really help unfortunately as it was a consultant who started fbe medication so I’ve just got to wait for the appointment with the consultant to review it, hopefully it won’t be too long but frustrating waiting and feeling rubbish in the meantime x

That is appalling. Surely a gp knows that someone with a heart rate below 40 and feeling ill needs to go to hospital immediately?

jellyfishperiwinkle · 11/03/2025 21:48

I might go in the pharmacy and ask them first. Pharmacist can be better at dosing than the GP, and more quickly acessible. Then you can speak to your GP to titrate or get another more suitable drug.

endofthelinefinally · 11/03/2025 21:49

OP it is over 12 hours since you first posted. Have you phoned 111 yet?

LoyalAquaOtter · 11/03/2025 21:56

What dosage of Ivabradine are you on? I take a small dose of 2.5mg twice a day for dysautonomia and it lowers my heart rate by about 5bpm. My resting heart rate is about 45, it doesn't really go lower than that.