Drop in heart rate while resting

[Karenspangler]

My son is 18yrs old, he is in good shape (but does not work out or excercise) 5' 7, 135lbs.  For the past 10 months he has had problems with his heart rate droping into the 30's while sleeping or resting. This causes him to have sever chest pain, shortness of breath. He has been admited to the hospital twice now and had test run. All the test show that his heart does not have any faulty valves or blockages. The last time he was admited to the hospital was July 1, 2008, he spent 5 days and was once again released with no answers.
When he is up and active his heart rate stays in the 60's-80's. Most of the most attacks take place while he is sleeping and the pain will wake him.With the last attack (this was the worst he has ever had) he woke not being able to breath, very strong chest pains, sweating and was not able to focus in on what I was saying. I took his pulse and it was at 29. The doctors say they just dont know, if someone out there has ever heard of this before please let me know.  
Thanks
Karen

[ireneo]

I know our heart rates will go down during sleep but his is excessive, especially if it's causing pain and confusion. A slow heart rate is called bradycardia. Did anyone mention putting a pacemaker in? Some arrythmias don't seem to have a "cause", they just happen like my tachycardia. It just turns on because my heart is wired funny. Has he seen an actual cardiologist yet or just the regular hospital staff?

[momtofourboys]

My little man who is 4 has had some issues, however he is doing it while awake and passing out 1x and coming close to passing out as you can without passing out.. his use to go down into the 50's now at times we have seen it go down to 46 while he is running around. when he passed out his primary cardiac doctor told us he just bought himself a pacemaker.  we had to go to another hosptal and have a cardiac cath and an AP study done and they said he will have to pass out a few more times before putting in a pacemaker.
Do you mean he hasn't seen a cardialogist yet? if not then I would be on the phone to his PCP and asking them to reffer him to a cardioogist. has he had an echo?? if so you might want to find out who read his echo report and go see that cardiologist.

make sure you bring a copy of his hospital records. this should include his lab works any type of xray any testing (the actual film and the report) and any doctor's notes the report from the ER also should be included.
While at home I would also document (like a diary) of the things he does so the next times(hopefully it won't happen) you might be able to find out what is causing this..
even the position of the way he sleeps. (this is what our docotr told us to do about Crhistopher.)  
sis he have an episode while in the hospital??? if not then I wuold also ask the cardiologist if he could have an event montiro (a little different then a holter monitor) this can be used for 30 days and doesn't have to be worn all of the time)
how often does he have htem or is it not consistant. Christopher's is not consistant and that is why it is ahrd to tell.
All of the doctod have said you can have a low HR as long as you aren't symptomatic, and your son is.
good luck and  I hope this helps somewhat
michele