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Teen boy low heart rate detected

28 replies

Minimink · 27/01/2024 20:36

DS is almost 16, for long enough he's always complaining of feeling tired, dizzy and unwell. I've always put it down to being a teen that's burning the candle at both ends, stressed from school or other usual teenage angst.

This week again he's saying he isn't feeling well with various non specific symptoms and a new symptom of insomnia, so I took him to the GP to get him checked over. While the GP was chatting to him he started doing the usual obs but looked concerned. DS's heart rate was 51, he repeated this a few times and it stayed the same. DS now has to go back to the surgery to have an ECG and bloods.

I have a fingertip pulse monitor at home and have been taking a reading since his heart rate is between 48 and 52 at best. The GP asked about any family heart issues and both his GF's had heart issues young. His paternal GF had a triple heart bypass at 33.

I've tried to look online but I'm now freaking out a little. The GP we saw said a resting heart rate as low as his was not normal for a boy of his age. DS is quite sporty but no athlete so I don't think that is the cause of it being so low.

OP posts:
sashh · 02/10/2025 16:33

User2356542 · 27/01/2024 20:51

Could it be a form of congenital heart block? It might have been overlooked as a baby/child as they tend to have higher bpm than adults.

Do you have any history or symptoms of autoimmune disease, specifically Sjorgens (dry mouth/eyes) or Lupus (joint pain, hair loss, systemic issues)? Both of those are strongly associated with an antibody that causes heart block in the fetus during pregnancy. If this sounds likely then get yourself tested for Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and get DS tested for heart block. It's basically caused by a damaged AV node, which is where the electrical signals for the heart are created. There aren't any physical indicators that will show up on scans.

The signals are created in the SA node, the AV node stops a signal that is too fast getting to the ventricles.

There are various types of heart block but they normally cause arrhythmia rather than Bradycardia.

An ECG will show heart block.

sashh · 02/10/2025 16:34

I did not realise yjid is a zombie

CrikeyMajikey · 02/10/2025 16:39

My DC, 19, has a very low heart rate, often as low as 39. He’s absolutely fine.

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