Young person low heart rate, very tired

[buckextreme]

I am a 26 year old male, non-smoker.  My normal resting heart rate is between 42-50.  I have lost 30 pounds through exercise over the past 6 months and I now weight what I should,  158 I am 5'9".  My heart rate was still in that range six months ago though.  My real question is, MAny afternoons I get uncontrollably tired, head nodding to the side, unable to keep it up.  One day about a month ago, i decide to check my pulse during one of these episodes, it was 36, subsequent checks during these episodes confirmed that my heart rate drops to 35-40 range when I feel this tiredness.  Being 26, and not a world class ahtlete, should I be concerned.  My GP says I am too young to have a low heart rate effect my energy level, he did an EKG and it was normal.  Any advice is much appreciated.

[Cleveland Clinic]

buckextreme,

I doubt this is going to be a heart rate related issue. If your heart function is normal, and your rhythm is sinus (normal conduction) than I would probably look at other causes of your fatigue. An event monitor could look for any rate related episodes.

I commned you on the steps youve taken to get back in shape and you should keep it up!

good luck

[buckextreme]

I should also add that at night, when laying in bed, I get that
same feeling before I fall asleep,I check my pulse and it is in the 30's.  This may or may not be useful.

[flipflopgirl]

I'm sorry but I disagree with your cardiologist. I know young people who have had low heart rates and been symptomatic from this. I think the better question is whether your heart rate responds appropriately to exercise etc. If I were you I would want a holter monitor or loop recorder to catch my rhythm during these tired episodes. It's normal for youn healthy people to have low resting heart rates but it's not normal for young healthy people to feel weak and tired from low rates. I hope you feel better soon and that you get the answers your looking for.

[Mimi1961]

Sounds like you may be iron deficient after losing 30 lbs. You should have a hemotology test.