Pulse rate

[Elc1112]

Morning all,

I was recently asked to wear a 24hr BP monitor to rule a couple of things out. The results are in and my BP is absolutely fine - ranges from 100/65 to 119/78. The doctor is, however, concerned with my resting pulse rate and I am a bit bemused as to why.

My average resting pulse is 50-52. It drops into the mid to high 40s when I am sleeping. Obviously it rises when I exercise and so on.

My doctor said that this is too low. I disagree. I exercise six times a week, do regular 50 mile plus bike rides and 10k runs etc. I would have thought that a resting pulse rate of 50 is pretty good! I don't feel unwell or faint or anything when my pulse is this low so I really don't understand why this is a problem. I can completely understand if I was displaying symptoms of a low heart rate etc, but I am not.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, my GP wants to refer me to the hospital to get my heart checked. I'm of the impression that a low pulse rate, unless symptomatic of course, is a good thing though! Anybody else had any experiences like this or able to offer any advice?

Many thanks in advance,
Em

 

[Superchip]

When Sebastian Coe was competing he had a resting pulse rate of 32.

 

[Pilgrim22]

Don't worry about your heart rate, when I was in the army, I had a rate a lot lower than yours.



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[Elc1112]

That's exactly why I think it's a complete over-reaction asking me to go and see a specialist at the hospital! I've heard of so many people having a lower heart rate than this so I really don't get why it is an issue! As a diabetic you're always told to exercise and keep yourself fit and healthy. You do that and then they criticise you and try to send you to hospital. Grr. Rant over! Thanks both for the replies

 

[Scardoc]

Go get the check up when it's on offer. Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago as my pulse was 42, they sent me for an ECG and after a while the doc told me to go home and, I quote, "we're just not used to seeing such a fit diabetic".

I am a keen runner and have fun now trying to relax myself before having BP taken to see how low my pulse gets. It's always afternoon so 40 is the best but I am desperate to get into the 30's .

Being diabetic, anything unusual (and low 40's isn't the norm for pulse rate) is going to get the doc's concerned but at least they are looking after you.

 

[phoenix]

My resting pulse rate is about 50. My doctor knows I run and once commented that I had an 'athletes pulse' (well I think that's what she said) That's the only time she's mentioned it.
On the other hand because of my D, my age(60) and because I run, she insists I have an exercise stress test done every so often. Last time she was very clear that she wanted me to have it before I ran a marathon (don't think she realised the distances involved in training though). I suppose it's belt and braces.

 

[noblehead]

Anyway, to cut a long story short, my GP wants to refer me to the hospital to get my heart checked. I'm of the impression that a low pulse rate, unless symptomatic of course, is a good thing though! Anybody else had any experiences like this or able to offer any advice?

Yes I understood that too, I would get the heart check as it will give you peace of mind Em's. I had chest pains 3 years ago and was admitted for a full investigation, had ECG's, Echocardiogram and Angiogram, turned out everything was fine and my problems was muscularskeletol but the reassurance of all being well with my heart was most welcome.

 

[Andy12345]

I'd kill for your pulse rates, hehe.....not literally