Bradycardia/low heart rate

[LaurelGrove]

I have had an Apple Watch for a few months. I don't normally sleep in it but when I do it almost always tells me the next day that my heart rate was below 40 during the night. I mentioned it to the GP when I was there for something else and she asked to see the data - my resting heart rate is somewhere between 40-50bpm (goes up when I exercise to what I'd consider normal and exercise is the only time I've ever really paid attention).

She sent me for a 20 minute ECG and now wants to do a 24 hour one. Apparently the two sides of my heart are beating slightly differently which she said could be "something or nothing" plus the heart rate is indeed low.

Dr Google suggest below 60 is either low but ok or low but GO TO THE DOCTOR NOW. Which I have done but it's going to be a while until the next ECG.

She asked if I felt ok generally. I'm often tired but I don't sleep brilliantly and am perimenopausal with a stressful job. I didn't think I get light headed or dizzy but realised today that when I go upstairs I do occasionally get a wave of temporary weakness. But I exercise plenty - walk lots, cycle to work and back, run a couple of times a week, some weights etc. I'm absolutely not an elite athlete but I'm fit enough for my age.

Anyone got any advice or experience? What will they do if the ECG confirms the findings? What is too low a heart rate,"?

This may not apply to you, but it can be a side effect of an eating disorder, especially when coupled with excessive (?) levels of exercise. The doctor may therefore want to check your weight.

Have they checked your thyroid function? Hypothyroidism can slow your heart rate.

No eating disorder, definitely not excessive exercise! I'm a few kilos overweight though that is coming down.
Don't think anyone has ever checked for hypothyroidism. I don't have many of the symptoms apart from tiredness and a slight tendency to intermittent tingling in feet and hands.

It's likely genetic but get your thyroid checked. My HR and BP are low but my thyroid function is fine. Salt and caffeine seem to help keep both more in the normal range.

Mine goes down to 37 at night.

My cardiologist was not concerned at all.

My resting rate was 35 during a standard medical (40 year check). GP referred me to a cardiologist and I was really worried (so started getting panic attacks which didn’t help!).

Cardiologist did some tests including the 24 hour halter and then told me I was very healthy and lucky it was so low!

This coincided with the start of peri menopause. I now know there’s a link to my hormones as I get the dizzy/out of it feeling worse near my period . I also know it’s worse in hot weather. Drinking lots of water and adding salt to my diet has helped.

Just seen your update. Funnily enough, I too get the intermittent tingling in my hands and feet.

Mine is normally around 45-55 and my doctor referred me to a cardiologist.
My heart looked fine apart from slightly slower pumping out (not the technical term!)
My heart rate variability wasn't great but he was not concerned. I'll exercise to address this.
I do get fatigued at times but this improves when I make sure when I make sure my iron levels are good.
He said I'm very healthy and is well.

Hi. I recently had a 24 hr ecg, 6 day ecg and echo scan due to tingling hands and numbness in my arms.

They found my heart rate went to 30s while sleeping. Also found a first degree heart block. All of which they were not worried about and discharged me!

It can be absolutely nothing, but the stress of waiting can bloody well cause symptoms! Good luck

my resting heart rate is usually just below 50.

had just had some investigations because of pacs being picked up on a routine minute ecg.
was followed up with a 24h holter and a stress ecg.
both came back ok(ish).

cardiologist said a) wrist monitors are not very acurate and b) many people have low resting heart rates without it being an issue.

do you have any symptoms? like fainting or feeling dizzy?

Thanks everyone. Reassuring to hear a low heart rate can be normal even among non athletes. The GP seemed slightly more concerned about the irregularities but not particularly worried. Fingers crossed the 24 hour trace is all normal. I don't normally have health anxiety but for some reason I find myself getting worked up about this.

HI girls looking for some info my little boy who is age 5 has a low heart rate of 60 and in 50s when sleeping he has had a ecg at hospital witch came back normal. doctor has refferd him to cardiology for Further test to see why it could be low. He did say some people do just have a low heart rate but I have never know my child to have one before now I am constantly checking his heart it is sending me insane not knowing what could be the cause of this. A child his age should be 75-115. Has any one else’s had this happen to there child.

My resting heart rate is around 45, it goes as low as 34/35 at night, when I exercise it rises to 155-170.

I'm not an athlete, bmi is 21.5, I do a bit of running and walk 10k steps every day.

I feel faint if I get up too quickly but other than that I don't notice anything out the ordinary! I mentioned it to my GP once who wasn't concerned in the slightest.