Re: low pulse rate

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 08, 1998 at 18:04:22:

In Reply to: low pulse rate posted by Phil on July 08, 1998 at 15:21:41:






What can some of the cause for a low pulse rate 45 to 50.  They did a ekg and it came back normal and they did some blood work, but this has not come back yet.
Phil
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Phil:
If the EKG was normal, you have a sinus bradycardia.  This is the fancy way of saying that your heart rhythm is normal, but the rate is slow.  I suspect the blood work included thyroid tests to see if you have an underactive thyroid.   Various medications can also cause this as a side effect.  
In young, healthy people it is not uncommon to have a sinus bradycardia.  Athletes also tend to run a slower heart rate.
Sometimes a sinus bradycardia is due to aging of the heart's electrical conduction system.  If  the sinus bradycardia is causing symptoms (such as lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue), then it needs to be treated with placement of a pacemaker.
I hope this answers your question.
If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at desk F15.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.