Is TOO healthy really a problem?

[bongocharm]

I'm 55 and in the best shape of my life. I box and have been training 6
days a week for the past 3 months for 2-3 hours a day. I would say my
exertion varies from 60% to, at times, very close to 100% of my max heart
rate. This is not a problem for me. I'm 5'10", weight 135-140 pounds.
I eat right, drink lots of water, very little alcohol and i don't smoke.
I had a physical last week and my EKG indicated a heart rate, at that
particular moment, of 42 BPM. 55 is about average for me right now.
It was my first visit to a new doctor and she was freaked out. Wants
me to see a cardiologist. I explained my exercise program to her but
she was unimpressed. I feel great and don't really have the time for
a raft of what i believe are unnecessary test.
I'm not looking for advice, certainly not for a yes or no, and i understand
the wisdom of erring on the side of caution, but is it not possible that
my doctor is just way off on this one?
Thanks for your feedback.

[NTB]

I just happened to run across a page saying that two possible causes of slow HR could be sick sinus syndrome or heart block. Again, not likely in a person with your activity - but if you're concerned then maybe one simple EKG can rule those out.

[NTB]

hello, Bongo. If I were you, I'd be more concerned with Corey Hill syndrome than cardiovascular disease :) That was gruesome, wasn't it?

Anyway, I'd think that the correct diagnostic approach to your case would be: what is the thing that, although unlikely, would be catastrophic if missed? AFAIK the dangers of bradycardia are in people who are feeble, from CVD or systemic infection. You don't seem feeble at all. So then your idea of being very fit (and also thin) seems very likely the entire explanation.

Do you remember George Sheehan, the 'running doctor' from the 70s? He'd written then that every time he went for a physical, they diagnosed him as being very ill with an enlarged heart. C'est la vie. Have you compared HRs with others like yourself?

Btw, people who totally abstain from alcohol generally have more heart disease than moderate drinkers. Heavy drinkers have more CVD. It's a J shaped curve.

[ireneo]

It's best that they check it out just for the record. It's not unusual for a healthy, athletic person as yourself to have a lower heart rate. As long as you feel terrific, there's probably no cause for concern. Still, it won't hurt to check it out.