Low Heart Resting Heart Rate & During Exercise

[Sonya8691]

My mom is 72 years old.  She vigorously weight trains and does cardio every day, and is in good health overall.  Her resting hr varies between 43 and 93, and even during exercise it goes down to the 40s.  She has had tests done but the doctors say her heart is strong and since she doesn't have symptoms, there is nothing to worry about.

This does not seem normal to me.  Our hr goes up during exercise to provide more oxygen to our tissues, grater blood supply to muscles and I'm sure for another dozen reasons I don't know about.  If hers stays in the 40s-50s when it should be about 100, isn't that dangerous?  Is there a sports type of cardiologist she should see?

[kenkeith]

Your reasoning is correct.  More exercise, the more need for blood/oxygen and the heart needs to pump faster to increase the cardiac output. The respiration rate should increase as well for more oxygen.  Strong heart contractions, and very open vessels certainly would help, as well as a good set of lungs. Also, good skeletal muscle tone may reduce the demand blood/oxy as well.

It is unusual, and to be sure there i no problem a doctor may want to do a exercise stress test to be sure the vitals are normal with exertion.