Heart rate of 36 bmp

[EbbandTheWanderingHearts]

My 86 year old Dad has been sent to hospital as Doctor was worried that his heart rate was 36. Is this something treatable with medication? Dad has refused a pacemaker in the past. Thanks in advance.

Sounds like he needs a pacemaker

The condition is called bradycardia and there are many possible causes, some serious, some not.

bradycardia

If your dad has previously been offered a pacemaker, it sounds like he is known to have episodes of slow heart rate (or bradycardia) as above. They hospital will confirm this with a heart tracing ECG, put him on a monitor, review his medications and do blood tests. However if no reversible cause is found - and his heart rate is critically slow they will most likely advise him to have a pacemaker implanted This is not as drastic procedure as it may sound

DH has got atrial fibrilation and was told to always get medical advice if his heart rate drops below 50 bmp for an extended period.

He's on medication which regulates his heart rate well - Dronedarone 400mg bi-daily.

Thank you! I think he had Arrhythmia hence the recommendation of a Pacemaker. Unfortunately Dad is very much of the "When it's God's will" mindset and refuses point blank to have a pacemaker. I didn't know if there were other options to treat it. My heart rate tends to be on the low side and DS has Aortic Stenosis so also wondering if any of it is hereditary. Dad follows a very strict vegan diet and is generally pretty fit for his age. We'll see I guess.

How is your dad doing @EbbandTheWanderingHearts

Thanks for asking @flyingbymypants. They recommended a pacemaker again, Dad said no and as he wasn't short of breath or suffering chest pains, they sent him home. DM said he seems fine.

Got to love a stubborn parent! See how he goes.... if it starts getting dizzy spells or breathless encourage him to reconsider.

They have very valid reasons for recommending pacemakers.

The heart rate doesn’t have to drop much further below 36 for it to be a potentially catastrophic situation.

I have an ICD/pacemaker and it is set to pace at 40 bpm because the drop can happen very quickly below that.