Resting Heart Rate

Sami1601
Sami1601 Posts: 50 Member
in Getting Started
I'm new to exercising and eating healthy but I also suffer with anxiety to.
My Fitbit states my resting heart rate is about 62 sometimes going to 60 and this is making me anxious it's too low.
I've had tests in the past ecgs 24 monitor and heart scan because I kept having a high heart rate due to anxiety and everything was clear.
I've only just started running doing the couch to 5k about 2 weeks ago.
I'm 34 years old.
I've started exercise because someone said it helps anxiety and my anxiety debilitates me in most areas of my life.

Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    That's not particularly low at all.

    The NHS advice on RHR is talk to your Doctor if it's 40 or below (or 120 and above) - but that may simply be that 40 or below is normal for that individual.
    https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-check-my-pulse/#whats-a-normal-heart-rate

    FYI - mine is 48bpm because I'm fit and have a good "pump". HR in the 40's is very common for people that do endurance cardio.
  • Whatpatience
    Whatpatience Posts: 11 Member
    As you get fitter your heart doesn’t have to work as hard as it used to when you’re not exercising. This is a good thing.
  • Girlheidi
    Girlheidi Posts: 60 Member
    Mine's 52, on week 9 of couch 2 5k and I am old enough to be your mother!!! Keep at the running! The program works!
    😁😁😁😁
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,330 Member
    Keep in mind.. how long you been wearing the tracker? It needs time to calc the right hr resting . First month was high sixty... Currently now it's at 58.
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
    mine goes down to 38 sometimes. exercise has helped my depression and anxiety fyi
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    Mine is 60-62. I've been running for 7 years, but I'm also age 62. I'm happy with it and so is my doctor.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,131 Member
    Mine has been creeping up recently into the mid-50s from the lower 50s, because of a break in activity due to some temporary knee problems. Lower heart rate as you get fitter is normal. I set off the low heart rate monitors at an outpatient surgical center (before having any sedation), because I kept dropping below 50bpm. My surgeon thought it was great and called it "fitness induced bradycardia". (I'm 63, BTW.)

    If you're worried, talk to your doctor, but it would be entirely normal for your resting heart rate to gradually decrease as your cardiovascular fitness gets better. I'm not a doctor, but I'd say if you see a very sudden dramatic change (up or down), that might be different, but gradual reduction is unlikely to be an emergency.

    Best wishes!
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    Mine is always between 50-54.
  • Sami1601
    Sami1601 Posts: 50 Member
    Wow thanks for the replies. I’ve seen a doctor enough times and had scans on my heart and wore 24 hour monitors. I think I’m letting my anxiety get the better of me. I didn’t realise a lower resting heart rate is more likely as you become more fitter.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Also be aware that what Fitbit displays as resting HR is it's compilation figure that it uses for other things.

    What would normally be considered your resting HR, first thing in morning upon just waking and not moving around - would likely be even lower.

    So don't worry if you bring up your actual HR graph and see even lower lows.
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,330 Member
    If you have fit bit app... Look the comparison chart/cardio fitness.

    Here's mine.. yesterday was 58.. today.. 56..
    hiic2eq2wxug.png

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Sami1601 wrote: »
    Wow thanks for the replies. I’ve seen a doctor enough times and had scans on my heart and wore 24 hour monitors. I think I’m letting my anxiety get the better of me. I didn’t realise a lower resting heart rate is more likely as you become more fitter.

    If you've had heart problems in the past then it may be worth speaking to your doctor
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Sami1601 wrote: »
    I'm new to exercising and eating healthy but I also suffer with anxiety to.
    My Fitbit states my resting heart rate is about 62 sometimes going to 60 and this is making me anxious it's too low.
    I've had tests in the past ecgs 24 monitor and heart scan because I kept having a high heart rate due to anxiety and everything was clear.
    I've only just started running doing the couch to 5k about 2 weeks ago.
    I'm 34 years old.
    I've started exercise because someone said it helps anxiety and my anxiety debilitates me in most areas of my life.

    That's a normal resting HR.
  • Sami1601
    Sami1601 Posts: 50 Member
    I haven’t had heart problems they did tests on me because I kept having a racing heart due to my anxiety.
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,330 Member
    Are you taking any meds for your anxiety?
  • Sami1601
    Sami1601 Posts: 50 Member
    No. I don’t take anything. I’m having CBT. I’ve suffered for 7 years they only medication that works is diazepam but they are addictive so can’t have them.

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