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Original poster

Very low heart rate- 36 bpm

23 replies

brillopants · 30/08/2017 15:49

Just had a heart scan/ ecg because there's a heart problem in the family and we are being screened. All ok and my heart has a clean bill of health, and is a bit bigger than normal as I'm a runner .

My heart rate was 36 bpm and the consultant said top athletes have this, and normal is 75.
I'm not that super fit, been running for stress relief for 20 years but never in a competitive way, mainly four times a week and not that intense.

Anyone know if I should be worried? Is it because of the accumulative effect of exercise over a long period?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

brillopants · 30/08/2017 15:51

Just to add bmi of 20, healthy not underweight, good diet but never deny myself, vegetarian, 5"4.

OP posts:

Neolara · 30/08/2017 15:54

My dh is stupidly fit. He also has a ridiculously low bpm. Maybe you are fitter than you think.

Jaxhog · 30/08/2017 15:56

It is low, but heartrate is a very personal thing. Running 4 times a week makes you much fitter than most people. As long as your Doc isn't worried, you shouldn't be.

BTW. I'm old, fat and not very fit, yet my resting HR is 60.

Original poster

brillopants · 30/08/2017 16:07

Oh phew. Thanks. It was because they made a big fuss of it.

OP posts:

AppalachianWalzing · 30/08/2017 17:32

There was a programme I saw - one of those ambulance/A&E/save your life one- and an elderly gentleman came in with a heart rate of 36 and they said it was very dangerous, and that once it goes under 40 it's a serious problem. He ended up having some kind of surgery, and recovered fully. I don't know if the risk was partly because of his age, but it does seem very very low. Are they following up? Have they told you to do anything?

Allice · 30/08/2017 17:47

My husband is a runner and has a very low heart rate too, it's always been low even before he was training so much, it's just the way he is. His sits at mid 30's to low 40's, when it goes very low he tries to eat, he has had fits in the past and that's been put down to his low heart rate.

I'm about 3 stone over weight, am trying to eat healthily, have a gastric band so it's all a bit allover for me but my heart rate is generally low 50's too.

Original poster

brillopants · 30/08/2017 18:01

Thanks. There was mentioned a heart monitor that you wear for a week.they didn't seem worried.

The only time I e had a funny turn was swimming in the cold sea and on getting out felt faint, I think I'd used up too many calories and couldn't warm up.

OP posts:

tomatopuree · 30/08/2017 18:02

I'm a student nurse and these numbers make me panicky. However you have been assessed and a doctor has said it's fine.

If you were brought onto a ward I was working in I would be keeping you in my line of sight and I would also be sweating profusely

I had a patient who had a heart rate of 35 and cardiology were keeping a close eye on him from their unit.

He was to be fair particularly unwell.

JohnHunter · 30/08/2017 23:35

36bpm would be a worry in an unwell patient but it doesn't mean very much by itself in someone who is well. It sounds from your posts (running regularly, swimming, etc) that you are probably just fitter than you realised. If your heart ejects more blood with each beat then it needs fewer beats to send the same amount of blood around the body.

gingerh4ir · 30/08/2017 23:39

my friend has a about 32-35 BPM. he is on the fit side (lots of running and cycling) but not ridiculously fit. he had tests as well but all is fine. doctors think it is a combo of doing sports and just the way he is (he would have probably made an excellent endurance sportsmen).

Original poster

brillopants · 31/08/2017 07:09

Thanks everyone, puts my mind at ease a bit

OP posts:

Ifailed · 31/08/2017 07:22

A low HR is common with elite athletics, their heart has grown due to continuous exercise so one 'beat' will pump more blood round than that of an average person. However, I do remember reading about Chris Board man, who had a very low resting rate, who was advised not to just give up exercise, as his heart would shrink back quicker than his HR would increase, but to slowly wind down.
So long as you have been accessed by a DR, I shouldn't worry about it OP, and if the theory about there being a maximum number of beats per lifetime is true, you should live to a grand old age!

sashh · 31/08/2017 07:38

Anyone know if I should be worried? Is it because of the accumulative effect of exercise over a long period?

Yes it happens in athletes, and a CONSULTANT has told you this.

As long as it is not causing any problems you have nothing to worry about.

Titanz · 31/08/2017 14:47

If you're not symptomatic I wouldn't be overly concerned. If you were at unwell adult in my care I would but if you feel good, trust your consultant.

27Harper · 31/08/2017 17:45

Yes I wouldn't worry about it if you're asymptomatic. I'm a healthy weight (Well I'm currently pregnant), but usually my bmi lies between 19-19.5. Occasionally it may drop to around 18, but I have quite a fast heart rate. It ranges between 82-170. If you are very concerned o would advise you to talk to your doctor sweetie bit I would try not to worry too much xx

GoldenOrb · 31/08/2017 17:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shewolfmum · 31/08/2017 23:01

Dehydration? Or is that low blood pressure...anyway are you hydrated enough?

Titanz · 31/08/2017 23:06

Yeah dehydration can manifest as a low BP, but it's usually high HR if there's any HR changes.

Rufus27 · 31/08/2017 23:10

How strange. Few years ago I was in a similar situation, but mine was 30 bpm. I too was a slim, not v fast runner and a vege. Had lots of tests but cardiologist said it was simply my lifestyle and to be grateful it wasn't too fast. Am now a non running mum and it's much higher!

Hopefully your low reading will be for similar reasons .

BetterEatCheese · 31/08/2017 23:13

My mum was very fit and had a heart rate of 40bpm when she was in labour with me. They asked if she was an athlete. I think it's fine if you're pretty fit

Smigbot · 31/08/2017 23:57

My DH has a low heart rate in the 30's like you Op. He went for tests and was on the treadmill for ages and they basically gave up trying to get his heart rate to increase! They told him athletes would give their right arm to have this! DH is not a fitness fanatic - it is just natural for him. Lucky so and so!

GoldenOrb · 01/09/2017 09:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bouncydog · 05/09/2017 19:43

My OH is 59 and has just had a medical. His heart rate is mid 30's and its always been like that. When he was younger he was superfit - running, football, athletics etc and it was even lower - then had a very manual job that meant he was doing loads of exercise all day - walking lifting etc. GP said he would have been worried because of the rate normally but hubby is just in excellent physical shape and nothing for him to worry about.

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