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Original poster

resting heart rate 39, is that ok or not?

31 replies

flossie64 · 17/02/2010 15:20

My Dh had an ECG at work yesterday, All went well, or so he thought.
I then got a call from them ,as an answer machine message , saying" This is a message for Mr Flossie. You need to see the doctor straight away . Please call back"
I am rather mad that they let a message like that TBH, but more concerned about whether it is a symptom of something bad.
I do not want to google as it will scare me too much.
His Dad died very suddenly from ischemic heart disease.

OP posts:
Curiousmama · 17/02/2010 15:23

So has he called?

waitingforbedtime · 17/02/2010 15:25

I think its usually between 60 - 100 but if youre very very very fit it can be lower?

Hope all ok.

DebiNewberry · 17/02/2010 15:28

My dh is very low, around this, does a lot of exercise...

sunburntats · 17/02/2010 15:28

is he an athletic runner?

Wont do any harm at all to get checked out properly will it. He may just have a very VERY fit and healthy heart.

Original poster
flossie64 · 17/02/2010 15:29

Yes he did , but can't get in until tomorrow, and they won't discuss why on the phone.
The only thing he was told ,he would not be allowed to fly.

OP posts:
Ponymum · 17/02/2010 15:30

No, it's not good. Why did they not do something at the time?

I once fainted suddenly at work and the ambulance crew stuck monitors all over me. When they tried to sit me up my heart rate dropped to the 30s and as a result I fainted again. I do not think such a low heart rate is sustainable. I had to go into hospital to be monitored for a day until everything came right, and had further tests done.

Original poster
flossie64 · 17/02/2010 15:39

Thanks for all the replies- Dh has to keep a level of fitness up ,he is in the RAF. Goes to the gym /swims 4 times a week.
He has always had a heart rate on the low side 48-55, but never this low before.
He is 44 in 2wks, not overweight for his height /build .
I am worried.
He spoke to a flight leiutenant doctor, so newly qualified he thinks, as that is the lowest rank they can join at. It could be she was over cautious, being newly qualified, or is more aware of the dangers of it . Not sure which I would prefer it to be , if I'm honest.

OP posts:
stanausauruswrecks · 17/02/2010 18:15

It's a bit on the slow side,Two questions, is he on any medication and how is your husband - does he feel dizzy / lethargic? It may be that he needs to wear a 24hr tape (basically a 24 hour ECG) to see what his HR is doing over the course of the day, and whether he is symptomatic with it at all.

Original poster
flossie64 · 17/02/2010 21:02

stan- no Dh is not on any medication. He very occasionally says he got up to quickly and stops until he feels ok ,generally only a few seconds.
I've not been very well over the last month or so, and I don't know if he's not said anything because of that. Also I've not been very on the ball so to speak with noticing things.
Is it sometimes a sign of something then?

OP posts:
stanausauruswrecks · 17/02/2010 21:35

I would say that he really needs to have a repeat ECG to see whether the slow heart rate is a regular thing, or whether he was feeling particularly chilled that day!! Feeling a bit dizzy if you stand up a bit too quickly is pretty normal, but if he was feeling that way all the time it would be an indicator that he wasn't coping with a low HR. I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry too much, most likely they'll do a repeat ECG tomorrow and send him off with a clean bill of health.

Original poster
flossie64 · 17/02/2010 21:47

Thanks for that. We are a bit concerned, but also it will impact on his job if there's a problem. He is in the forces.

OP posts:
Curiousmama · 17/02/2010 22:36

hope it goes well for him keep us posted.

alypaly · 18/02/2010 00:37

flossie ...my heart rate is 40 and i am 54. i play alot of sport and my resting rate occasionally dips below 40. The average heart rate is 72 bpm

Original poster
flossie64 · 18/02/2010 11:16

Well Dh is back from the med centre, they are saying its not the low heart rate that is so much a concern.
Now bear in mind this is how my DH described it!!
"The heart reate is probably fine ,but the gap on the trace where it it flat is on the long side. This means the time from pulse to beat is not normal."
He is being referred to a heart specialist in Peterborough( not sure if thats because he is in the forces), I thought all the military went to Sellyoaks, but hey ho at least they are following it up.
He cannot fly for work ,but can fly for holiday. According to Dh they are just being cautious ,so as not to face any future litigation.

OP posts:
Curiousmama · 18/02/2010 12:36

Hope he's going to be ok. It's the waiting that's awful.

Sidge · 18/02/2010 12:42

He has bradycardia - a bit more about it here.

I imagine they are being extra cautious because he is Forces - especially if he is aircrew.

Hope they get him sorted soon

HateHoovering · 18/02/2010 13:40

They are describing a first degree heart block where there is a delay in the electrical conduction through the heart. If you are going to have a heart block, it's one of the better ones to have. Good spot and good that he is being followed up so promptly.

Original poster
flossie64 · 18/02/2010 19:25

Sidge -thanks for that link. If its as HateHooovering says, at least it means he won't have to have anything done.
Hate hoovering-thanks. Do you read these traces by any chance?
Dh has now told me the man he is seeing is from work, so it should be quite soon.
I hope so , as I hate this uncertainty.

OP posts:
littlemefi · 18/02/2010 22:14

Does sound like a first degree heart block ( I'm a cardiology nurse) which can be benign, can be caused by some medications, like HateHoovering says, it's the " better" one to have. Peterborough have an MDHU as well as Selly Oak so that may be why referring there.
HTH

alypaly · 18/02/2010 23:45

sorry to butt in littlmefi........i have a heart rate of 40 and it has always been low,but my heart sometimes flutters as if its gone out of rythm for 20-30 secs. It makes me feel a bit weird when it happens too. I have a systolic murmur too.

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 19/02/2010 00:19

any news?

psychomum5 · 19/02/2010 01:07

flossie, hoping that he gets to see the top guy fast and the news is the good one that hatehoovering says.

you know from my thread that my HR goes down to 50, and my blood pressure is low too.....I get that 'standing up and feeling odd thing'.....tis ok in and off itself as long as there is no other symptoms and worries to go with it (for me, I sometimes also have palpitations and faint), but I am awaiting seeing my heart doc too so will await his conclusions.

lets hope that whatever it is with your DH is something that is simple to treat. keep us updated.

hows you today?? hope YOU are still resting

Original poster
flossie64 · 20/02/2010 17:02

Littlemefi- thanks for that. we have now been told he won't see the Doc there for 2-3 mths as he's very busy
I feel this is bizzare as they were so adamant they had to see him straight away.
Its either urgent or not, and to worry us like that and then say 2-3 mths is not very good

OP posts:
Curiousmama · 20/02/2010 17:50

Not good at all!!

Can he see someone from civvy life?

psychomum5 · 20/02/2010 20:17

am for you, altho then again.....if they are willing to let him wait, maybe it is not quite so bad as they were making out.

maybe....

lets hope!!

for the scare and the continued worry.