Pulse rate is almost half compared to last month

[ks1063]

I am female, 47 y/o, 5'5, 128 lbs. I eat mostly whole foods, but had no exercise routine, thin but very unfit. I quit smoking 2 weeks ago, 1-pack/day. Family history of very low blood pressure and heart attacks at very young age (father/37, brother/42, others) but they were in superior physical condition.

2 months ago I had a treadmill stress test (electro not echo).Test was stopped in 8th min due to extreme dizziness. Blood pressure had dropped to 80/60. Since then, I began taking my pulse several times per day. Before I quit smoking, my pulse was always 100 or more bpm, often 120+, occasional pounding/racing heart for no apparent reason (at rest).

In the past 2 weeks I have quit smoking and started walking on a treadmill. I have slowly increased my endurance to walking briskly 1.25 miles on a slight incline. No dizziness has occured. Pulse rate during exercise is now in the 120's. Pulse rate when not exercising has dropped dramatically (58-72 bpm) at any given time with no palpitations at all. It is now difficult for me to even find my pulse to take it.

Is it normal for my pulse rate to drop so dramatically after quitting smoking, or should I see a cardiologist? Other concerns?

[calrocco]

SEE A CARDIOLOGIST ASAP YOU CAN DEVELOP OTHER ISSUES ESPECIALLY WITH THE FAMILY HISTORY BUT THE STOP SMOKING IDEA WAS GREAT I STOPPED 35 YEARS AGO IT WAS THE BEST MEDICAL THING I EVER DID.....GOOD LUCK

[adidakev]

Hello!  It sounds to me like you're doing everything right.  Quitting smoking is such a wonderful thing to do for your body, so congratulations on that!  Exercising is also a great thing, and the fact that your resting pulse rate has dropped to a normal level means you should keep up with the exercising and stay away from the smoking.  I don't think you should be too worried at this point, especially if you are no longer experiencing dizziness with exercise.  

If you still want to get checked out by a cardiologist, obviously go ahead, but I think a cardio would be more concerned if your resting rate was still 120 rather than ~60.  Nicotine can definitely raise your heart rate, so the effect of quitting should probably be pretty immediate.

Good luck!