HRM and resting heart rate?

meerkat70

Can your HRM give a reasonably accurate reading of resting heart rate? I've measured my BP and heart rate previously, and know it's been getting lower and lower as I've got fitter.

While lying in bed this morning, just out of curiosity, I thought I'd test it using my HRM - and it measured at 48. So basically, as a fat (but very active) 41 year old, I have the resting heart rate of an athletic teenage boy?

The last time I measured it properly it was in the low 50s.

Also, does it really mean anything much, if your heart rate is low?

obeserat

Since I started cycling I often have a heart rate of around 53 when I go to the doctors which they often say is slow.
When I was in hospital I reularly set off an alarm when it went under 50 , might be an idea just to get it checked out

obeserat

google "herat rate under 50"

IronSmasher

Yes, maybe, it's an indicator.

Mine's 38bpm. I believe heart rate response to loads to be a better indicator, especially regarding avoiding cardiac arrest.

meerkat70

Yes, maybe, it's an indicator.

Mine's 38bpm. I believe heart rate response to loads to be a better indicator, especially regarding avoiding cardiac arrest.

Thanks IS, I'll look that up.

IronSmasher

I've just made it up, but it probably exists.

meerkat70

That would explain why I couldn't find the specific term in a google search....

ArchyJill

Sounds right to me. A fit heart doesn't always mean a fit body, and vice versa.

IronSmasher

There we go http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=heart+rate+response+to+acute+exercise&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=WzxmT43kBsSx8gO2jL2LCA&ved=0CBwQgQMwAA

Acute exercise is what I meant as load.

RAFValentina

Can your HRM give a reasonably accurate reading of resting heart rate? I've measured my BP and heart rate previously, and know it's been getting lower and lower as I've got fitter.

While lying in bed this morning, just out of curiosity, I thought I'd test it using my HRM - and it measured at 48. So basically, as a fat (but very active) 41 year old, I have the resting heart rate of an athletic teenage boy?

The last time I measured it properly it was in the low 50s.

Also, does it really mean anything much, if your heart rate is low?

It means you must be very fit! Below 60BPM is known as Bradycardia - it can be the result of being very fit and is also known as "runners pulse" or athletes heart. Or, it can indicate underlying heart issues, such as an unusually enlarged heart (other than from being athletic) If you're concerned, see your doc, but actually in most cases is a good thing!

Picola1984

Interestingly I had something similar as my status today.

A supplement magazine had 'test your fitness' article and said if your resting heart rate is between 55-60 then you have the fitness of an athlete

I found this typical of any crap magazine.

I tested mine before my run today and it was 51. I don't have plans to go into the Olympics lol

RAFValentina

Interestingly I had something similar as my status today.

A supplement magazine had 'test your fitness' article and said if your resting heart rate is between 55-60 then you have the fitness of an athlete

I found this typical of any crap magazine.

I tested mine before my run today and it was 51. I don't have plans to go into the Olympics lol

It doesn't mean top level athlete plus you don't have to be muscularly trained to have the same training potential as a PROFESSIONAL athlete. A lower HR indicates a larger trainign potential hence athletic heart... your body may not be trained but you COULD with training get to a much higher level!

meerkat70

That makes sense, thanks.

I *know* I'm not athletic. But I like the idea that at least my heart thinks it is! :-)

Picola1984

It doesn't mean top level athlete plus you don't have to be muscularly trained to have the same training potential as a PROFESSIONAL athlete. A lower HR indicates a larger trainign potential hence athletic heart... your body may not be trained but you COULD with training get to a much higher level!

See had they worded like this, I would have been more convinced. Thank you!

froeschli

mine was 51 this morning, but i read you should measure a few times and then take an average... also my highest is higher than average, so i guess my heart doesn't like to conform to statistics...

when i go to the doctors, my bp and heart rate are always way up because i am so nervous.

BrianSharpe

Can your HRM give a reasonably accurate reading of resting heart rate? I've measured my BP and heart rate previously, and know it's been getting lower and lower as I've got fitter.

While lying in bed this morning, just out of curiosity, I thought I'd test it using my HRM - and it measured at 48. So basically, as a fat (but very active) 41 year old, I have the resting heart rate of an athletic teenage boy?

The last time I measured it properly it was in the low 50s.

Also, does it really mean anything much, if your heart rate is low?

All I can add is - congratulations, your fitness program is working for you!

IronSmasher

mine was 51 this morning, but i read you should measure a few times and then take an average... also my highest is higher than average, so i guess my heart doesn't like to conform to statistics...

when i go to the doctors, my bp and heart rate are always way up because i am so nervous.

Explain that you suffer from white coat hypertension. Hopefully they'll be able to calm you down and take it again. I know a few people that have had to wear a monitor that takes multiple measurements throughout the day and night before you return to the doctors with these now much more accurate results. This method would account for both of your concerns.

meerkat70

mine was 51 this morning, but i read you should measure a few times and then take an average... also my highest is higher than average, so i guess my heart doesn't like to conform to statistics...

when i go to the doctors, my bp and heart rate are always way up because i am so nervous.

Explain that you suffer from white coat hypertension. Hopefully they'll be able to calm you down and take it again. I know a few people that have had to wear a monitor that takes multiple measurements throughout the day and night before you return to the doctors with these now much more accurate results. This method would account for both of your concerns.

good point. and it's a very common problem.

froeschli

mine was 51 this morning, but i read you should measure a few times and then take an average... also my highest is higher than average, so i guess my heart doesn't like to conform to statistics...

when i go to the doctors, my bp and heart rate are always way up because i am so nervous.

Explain that you suffer from white coat hypertension. Hopefully they'll be able to calm you down and take it again. I know a few people that have had to wear a monitor that takes multiple measurements throughout the day and night before you return to the doctors with these now much more accurate results. This method would account for both of your concerns.

My doc's actually pretty good, he just tells me to sit and relax whil he grabs a cup of coffee after a few minutes the bp etc are in a tolerable range...

Quarrysider

As a similarly fat 41 year old, mine tends to be in the low 50's. I reckon it's because my body has become pretty efficient at what I make it do every day (physical job, lots of walking), so I am well adapted for that (and my 'normal' daily activity tends not to raise my heart rate above the 80's, even when it feels like I'm working pretty hard), even though I doubt I could run even half a mile. Back in the day when i was an athlete (many years/lb ago ), my RHR never got below 48 anyway. So my lowish RHR doesn't necessarily mean I'm athletic, just that I am well adapted.