resting HR and fluid levels

yirara
yirara Posts: 9,993 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise

I always wondered why my resting HR is a lot lower when I run, and I assumed it's because I'm fit. Now I've not been running for over half a year due to feet problems and see quite some variations in resting HR.

I'm maintaining, thus my weight is stable. I can say with fair confidence now that whenever my fluid levels are lower my resting HR is lower. If I travel, TOM, eat more salt or start working out again and hold onto more water it goes up. If I get a spontaneous whoosh, lose the travel weight or sweat regularly from working out it goes down. Difference between high and low is roughly 10-13bpm, not from one day to another but more gradual.

Anyone notice something similar?

Don't worry, I'll take this to my GP if this is not normal :) I don't want to annoy her with something completely normal.

Replies

  • mrslynda
    mrslynda Posts: 50 Member
    Hi, I have had trouble with low blood pressure and resting heart rate in the pass. It's been a while is I've needed to have everything checked, but I kind of know my symptoms. Basically I went through all the tests at a cardiology department , there isn't anything wrong with my heart. So it's the other stuff.

    The cardiologist recommended to me the general guidelines- rest, eat enough, don't get dehydrated and eat sodium. I also find if my b, iron or vitamin d levels are low I am very symptomatic. When I have a hard day at work, lots of walking pushing heavy things etc, and don't get enough time to drink, and it gets hot at work , I get dizzy. I try and have something in my lunch bag , that I can eat or leave. I also drink electrolyte drinks. People give me funny looks when they don't know me and it's not that hot to them. But I sweat a lot.

    It might not be anything bad, but it's worth a check up. Especially if you haven't had blood work done in a while.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,993 Member
    Thanks a lot! Your post reminds me of something: if my blood pressure drops when I'm active my heartrate is also lower than it should be, and I experience a bit of shortness of breath. If I wear compression socks this does not happen and I'm fine. Seems like my heart just reacts that way: low fluid = low heartrate instead of a higher one to fix blood pressure drops or compensate for low fluid levels.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    What exactly is "lower" and "higher"? What are your actual HR and BP numbers? Are you under medical treatment for any heart or circulatory issue? Your mention of compression stockings is a flag because most people don't wear them unless they have a medical reason to do do.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,993 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    What exactly is "lower" and "higher"? What are your actual HR and BP numbers? Are you under medical treatment for any heart or circulatory issue? Your mention of compression stockings is a flag because most people don't wear them unless they have a medical reason to do do.

    Well, my resting HR varies between about 62 and 49 (that's sleeping or sitting on the sofa, surfing the net). Blood pressure tends to be on the low side. The sleeves, well I found out jogging, especially uphill was easier with my very tight winter jogging leggings, so I bought running sleeves and wear them whenever I go running, hiking or on extensive city trips/concerts/other things with lots of movement. Basically, sudden feeling of blood pooling in my legs, light-headedness and mild shortness of breath when running or walking uphill has been there since earliest childhood (parents and teachers never bothered to find out why lil'me couldn't run like other kids), but I only made the connection with blood pressure about 8 months ago. Since then I've managed to climb the highest mountain in the UK and went on extensive hikes in US national parks, which was impossible before. As I had cardio checkups before for other things my GP just says 'continue doing that', and that's it.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    What exactly is "lower" and "higher"? What are your actual HR and BP numbers? Are you under medical treatment for any heart or circulatory issue? Your mention of compression stockings is a flag because most people don't wear them unless they have a medical reason to do do.

    A lot of runners wear compression socks, sleeves or tights. I swear by mine helping recover from difficult or long runs.
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