Aa
what is my heart doing?? is this healthy or unhealthy??
I have noticed for about a month now that my resting heart rate is around 50 (which use to stay around 70)and have a normal blood pressure. if i am just sitting watching tv it is between 50 and 60. I am by far athletic. i have no dizzy spells or fainting spells. i walk at least 5 times a week. i get my heart rate up to around 140 (and trying to get it up more...but have to take baby steps). i can sit for a couple of minutes after and it is back down between 50 and 60. i am never out of breath to the point i cant talk. maybe a little winded but that is it. my blood pressure is normal...may elevate a little while exercising....140/90. then returns to around 115\75 after i rest. i have brought this up to my doctor and he is telling me i am fine and that i am just worring. i dont think my heart rate should be this low...i am about 100 pounds overweight and i am just starting to be able to get my heart rate up to where it will not throw me into a panic attack. i am a 35 year old woman who does not smoke and takes a small dose of xanax to help with my GAD. (please dont judge my GAD to this question)
Thank you for your stories and comments :)
Thank you for your stories and comments :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi guys!
Just went through the discussion above. Well, though technically bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60, it is not abnormal for individuals to have normal heart rates on the lower side. Though this tends to be more common in athletes, it is not typically considered abnormal in other individuals as well. One would not normally jump into action unless the hear rate is ‘below 60 with symptoms’ or ‘below 40-45, with or without symptoms’, though there are a few exceptions to the rule like arrhythmias. To begin with, I would suggest taking a pulse rate manually, rather than using electronic devices, as described in the previous post by ‘gymdandee’ for 1 full minute. If you have no symptoms otherwise and your heart rate is in the 50’s range, I would say not to worry about it. Though with a 47, I’d like to see some basic tests like an EKG done. You may like to consult your primary care physician/ a cardiologist for the same.
Hope this helps.
Take care!
Just went through the discussion above. Well, though technically bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60, it is not abnormal for individuals to have normal heart rates on the lower side. Though this tends to be more common in athletes, it is not typically considered abnormal in other individuals as well. One would not normally jump into action unless the hear rate is ‘below 60 with symptoms’ or ‘below 40-45, with or without symptoms’, though there are a few exceptions to the rule like arrhythmias. To begin with, I would suggest taking a pulse rate manually, rather than using electronic devices, as described in the previous post by ‘gymdandee’ for 1 full minute. If you have no symptoms otherwise and your heart rate is in the 50’s range, I would say not to worry about it. Though with a 47, I’d like to see some basic tests like an EKG done. You may like to consult your primary care physician/ a cardiologist for the same.
Hope this helps.
Take care!
I would suggest seeing the dr specificaly about your concern rather than just mentioning it - pin him/her down to saying if it okay or not.
sorry about the mix up, i am a female. and GAD is generalize anxiety disorder.
thank you for commenting. i have a o2 meter which reads both pulse and oxygen levels. i bought it to use during exercise and when i woke this morning is was 47!!!! and just sitting here typing it is 52. ( my oxygen level stays around 98 -99)this is crazy. i am a little fatigue but nothing extreme and nothing hurts me. this really starting to scare me.
thank you for commenting. i have a o2 meter which reads both pulse and oxygen levels. i bought it to use during exercise and when i woke this morning is was 47!!!! and just sitting here typing it is 52. ( my oxygen level stays around 98 -99)this is crazy. i am a little fatigue but nothing extreme and nothing hurts me. this really starting to scare me.
The Karvonen Formula is a mathematical formula that helps you determine your target heart rate zone. The formula involves using your maximum heart rate minus your age to come up with a target heart rate range (which is a percentage of your MHR). Staying within this range will help you work most effectively during your cardio workouts.
This is an example of the Karvonen formula for a 23 year old person with a resting heart rate of 65 beats per minute
206.9 - (0.67 x 23 (age)) = 191
191 - 65 (resting heart rate) = 126
126 65% (low end of heart rate zone) OR 85% (high end) = 82 OR 107
82 + 65 (resting heart rate) = 147
107 + 65 (rhr) = 172
The target heart rate zone for this person would be 147 to 172
To get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for one full minute when you first wake up in the morning so have a watch at your bedside don't get out of bed and take your pulse.
If your heart rate decreases 20 beats per minute (bpm) or more within 1 minute post exercise you are doing well. By 5 minutes post workout your heart rate should be down to 120 bpm or less.
Here's an example:
Your heart rate during the activity reaches 170 bpm. Within in 1 minute post exercise your heart rate should be down to 150 bpm or less. At 5 minutes post workout you should be 120 bpm or less.
If you are not at these levels, decrease the intensity of your workout and then gradually increase as your fitness level improves.
You can determine if you're fitness level is improving by monitoring how quickly you return to resting heart rate after a workout. To calculate, take your pulse immediately after you finish walking and write down the number. One minute later take your pulse and write it down. Subtract the second number from the first. The greater the number, the better your fitness level.
There are two methods of measuring RHR. One is to measure radial pulse (wrist) and the other is to measure carotid pulse (neck). Radial Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips on the thumb side of any one of your wrist. You will sense the beats, hold the finger tips gently. Then with the help of a clock, measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6. Carotid Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips below your jaw, along the windpipe and throat. Hold it gently using the fingertips of first and second finger. Then with the help of clock measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6.
The result you get after multiplying with 6 is your resting heart rate. You should always take an average reading to measure your RHR. To get this average reading, measure your RHR for at least thrice a week.
Resting Heart Rate For a female 65+ is for Athletes 54-59 , Excellent 60-64 , Good 65-68 ,
Above Average 69-72 , Average 73-76, Below Average 77-84 , Poor 84+
This is an example of the Karvonen formula for a 23 year old person with a resting heart rate of 65 beats per minute
206.9 - (0.67 x 23 (age)) = 191
191 - 65 (resting heart rate) = 126
126 65% (low end of heart rate zone) OR 85% (high end) = 82 OR 107
82 + 65 (resting heart rate) = 147
107 + 65 (rhr) = 172
The target heart rate zone for this person would be 147 to 172
To get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for one full minute when you first wake up in the morning so have a watch at your bedside don't get out of bed and take your pulse.
If your heart rate decreases 20 beats per minute (bpm) or more within 1 minute post exercise you are doing well. By 5 minutes post workout your heart rate should be down to 120 bpm or less.
Here's an example:
Your heart rate during the activity reaches 170 bpm. Within in 1 minute post exercise your heart rate should be down to 150 bpm or less. At 5 minutes post workout you should be 120 bpm or less.
If you are not at these levels, decrease the intensity of your workout and then gradually increase as your fitness level improves.
You can determine if you're fitness level is improving by monitoring how quickly you return to resting heart rate after a workout. To calculate, take your pulse immediately after you finish walking and write down the number. One minute later take your pulse and write it down. Subtract the second number from the first. The greater the number, the better your fitness level.
There are two methods of measuring RHR. One is to measure radial pulse (wrist) and the other is to measure carotid pulse (neck). Radial Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips on the thumb side of any one of your wrist. You will sense the beats, hold the finger tips gently. Then with the help of a clock, measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6. Carotid Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips below your jaw, along the windpipe and throat. Hold it gently using the fingertips of first and second finger. Then with the help of clock measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6.
The result you get after multiplying with 6 is your resting heart rate. You should always take an average reading to measure your RHR. To get this average reading, measure your RHR for at least thrice a week.
Resting Heart Rate For a female 65+ is for Athletes 54-59 , Excellent 60-64 , Good 65-68 ,
Above Average 69-72 , Average 73-76, Below Average 77-84 , Poor 84+
Just a note you say you are a woman but your profile says you are male acceptable heart rates vary between the sexes.
It is a little on the low side as below 60 at rest is considered bradacardia (too slow) and in extreme cases will require a pace maker to keep the rate up....
here is a good chart on heart rates....http://www.topendsports.com/testing/heart-rate-resting-chart.htm
here is a link to information on bradacardia -http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/bradycardia-slow-heart-rate-overview
I dont think your doctor should ignore it but should monitor it - (no idea what GAD is but does it or the xanax have a side affect of lowering the heart rate? )
here is a good chart on heart rates....http://www.topendsports.com/testing/heart-rate-resting-chart.htm
here is a link to information on bradacardia -http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/bradycardia-slow-heart-rate-overview
I dont think your doctor should ignore it but should monitor it - (no idea what GAD is but does it or the xanax have a side affect of lowering the heart rate? )
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