RHR how low is too low????

thunder1982

I know I need to go see the doctor about this, but was wondering if anyone had experience with a low resting heart rate.

Since I started giving blood about 3-4 years ago I've had a few comments about my HR when doing this, was I an athlete etc. Ignoring the fact I was obviously overweight. I didnt ask what it was nor did they tell me. I've had my surge for a little over a year. When I got it I wasn't regularly exercising and it was around mid 60's. A bit of regular exercise and it was between mid 50's to 60.

Late last year it starting dropping into the mid forties, confirmed by a trip to the blood bank where it was 44 when I went to donate so I know the surge was right.

This prompted my to investigate and found a thyriod issue (I had other symptoms but I it didnt occur to me before). I started medication about 6 weeks ago and my RHR promptly went back up to mid 50's to 60.

Now I have started exercising regularly (fatigue which was one of my symptoms played a huge part in lapses of exercise). I dont feel as tired as I did a few weeks ago, I have come back into the normal range for thyriod function test (though I cant remember the number as Dr was more interested in showing me my t3 and t4 results which have come down but are still way high but ther are 2 & 3 x normal where as before they were 3 & 4 times normal limit).

But I noticed that my RHR is back in the mid 40's. So it has dropped 10-15 beats per minute after 3 weeks of regular exercise. Has anyone else experienced a similar drop after introducing exercise? .

bpetrosky

0 is too low.

But seriously, it is normal after beginning an exercise regimen to see an improvement in resting heart rate, although if you are concerned you should see a doctor. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) can be a sign of underlying problems.

vismal

thunder1982 wrote: »

I know I need to go see the doctor about this...

Your answer is found within the first sentence of your post. For some people a heart rate in the 40's can be normal, for others it's not and requires intervention. Heart rate in a vacuum doesn't tell much. A doctor can run tests to determine heart rhythm, electrolyte levels, and plenty of other things that relate to your heart rate. They will also conduct a proper health history. Heart rate alone will not give nearly enough information to know if a problem exists.

robininfl

Mine drops under 60 sometimes but when it does, blood pressure goes up, like it's compensating. Not sure what's going on. Anything under 55 while awake would worry me, personally.

It's a question to bring to your doctor!

laur357

Mine is 45-48bpm, and I'm by no means an endurance athlete. However mine has always been under 55, even when completely sedentary.
With a drop that fast, you should probably check in with your doctor. Medications, age, irregular heartbeats, etc. can cause a drop, and it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on it. Especially since you've had some changes in meds and noticeable fatigue recently.

MelaniaTrump

Supplements, foods, and medications can lower resting heart rate.
Even something as simple as a magnesium supplement can cause changes.
Log any supplements (even herbal teas) in your log. Your doctor may want to look.