Low heart rate (Bradycardia)

[Tracer]

I've been diagnosed with asymptomatic bradycardia. My heart rate hovers between 30-40 bpm. It sometimes goes below 30, way below the normal rate for my age which is 77. My blood pressure is usually always normal. I wear an Apple Watch which monitors my heart rate throughout the day. I never feel faint or lightheaded. I'm no super athlete who sometimes have normal heart rates at this level, but I do have a fairly intense workout at least 4 days per week. I struggle to reach over 100 bpm during high intensity cardio workouts. My PCP who suspected I might need a pacemaker, sent me to a Rhythm Cardiologist. I'm not thrilled about putting a foreign device in my body. He determined I am otherwise in excellent health and should be fine and to get back to him if I start feeling symptoms. I wonder how common this is. Any pacemaker wearers out there?

 

[Teacher Terry]

A friend of mine is 91 and had to get a pacemaker six months ago. She lives alone and is in amazing shape and still does all our own housework, etc. It made a huge difference for her because before receiving it, she was getting fatigued all the time.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

My HR has always been on the lower side. In college, my resting rate would be 60 “Athletes’ Heart” they called it.

My normal resting HR now that I’m in my 70s is 50, but will go to the high 30s when sleeping. My cardiologist is unconcerned.

 

[stepford]

I've been diagnosed with asymptomatic bradycardia. My heart rate hovers between 30-40 bpm. It sometimes goes below 30...

I know you said *asymptomatic* bradycardia, but when your HR goes below 30 do you feel any symptoms like lightheadedness or fainting? If so I wouldn't hesitate to get treatment up to and including a pacemaker. If it's truly asymptomatic then it's more or a gray area. What does your cardiologist say about the risks of just watching and waiting?

PS. I spend a lot of time in the cycling world where there's endless discussion of HR and aging. The short summary is that there's enormous person to person variation and 'normal' can cover a very wide range. In my own case, even when out of shape I've always had a 'low' resting HR of 55-60 that will go down to the mid-40s when I'm in shape. But it doesn't mean I'm in any way more fit than someone else with a resting HR of 70. People are different.

 

[RetMD21]

MT HR has always been on the lower side but I haven't always had the conriorespiratory fitness to justify it. It would be interesting to see stress test results for someone who can't increase their heart rate much with exercise. I wouldn't hesitate to skip a pacemaker if you are asymptomatic.

 

[MRG]

No pacemaker.

I was being overdosed on a beta blocker by a doc who had no business being a doctor.

I remember how I felt, it was very scary to do anything. I felt like I would pass out any second
.

 

[Trailwalker]

I dip below 40 once in awhile according to my Apple Watch and also have to work to get my heart rate above 100. I turned off the notification so that it doesn't warn me every time I nick 39. It's never been lower than 38. The doctor says I have a very strong heart. Unfortunately, my blood pressure crept up, and I've had to make some dietary changes which have brought it back to the normal range. Except when I'm in the doctor's office feeling anxious.

 

[Tracer]

I know you said *asymptomatic* bradycardia, but when your HR goes below 30 do you feel any symptoms like lightheadedness or fainting? If so I wouldn't hesitate to get treatment up to and including a pacemaker. If it's truly asymptomatic then it's more or a gray area. What does your cardiologist say about the risks of just watching and waiting?

Like I said no matter how low my resting heart rate goes, I never feel lightheaded or anywhere near the feeling that I'm going to faint. I'm active and my overall health is otherwise excellent. My cardiologist is taking a watch and wait attitude. All he said to me was if I ever experience any symptoms I should get back to him.

 

[Ronstar]

During my running days, my resting heart rate was low. Normally in the mid 30's when running 25-30 miles a week, and low 40's when running around 10-15 miles a week. I had a few times when it got down to 29.

My doc has never been concerned about the low heart rate, but told me to "cool it" on the running. No mention of a pacemaker.

MIL had a pacemaker installed at age of 93 when her heart rate was 35 and BP of 125/39. Heart rate and bp now normal at age 97.

 

[RetMD21]

Like I said no matter how low my resting heart rate goes, I never feel lightheaded or anywhere near the feeling that I'm going to faint. I'm active and my overall health is otherwise excellent. My cardiologist is taking a watch and wait attitude. All he said to me was if I ever experience any symptoms I should get back to him.

That sounds asymptomatic

 

[EastWest Gal]

Without symptoms and a cardiologist who says watch and wait, you're probably fine. I assume your EKG was fine and hope that you have been evaluated with a 24-48 hour Holter monitor to evaluate your heart rate and rhythm during your activites. It sounds like you're doing okay.

 

[street]

Interesting thread. I have know advice on pacemakers but know of a few people that have them.
I usually have a low heart rate too. I just checked and mine 47HR and is almost always in the 40's no matter what activity I do working or resting. I may want to get that checked out.
A second opinion maybe one way to go if uncertain on what to do. Good Luck!

 

[Keim]

I got a pacemaker 14 years ago, for my 40th birthday. Amongst other things, it was for bradycardia. My resting pulse was about 58 at the time. What do you need to know?

 

[pacergal]

My Dad had a chronically low HR in the low 40's, all his life.
Follow your cardiologists recommended care, if asymptomatic, watch and wait.

 

[thod]

I also had got a pacemaker in 2017. My problem was I would faint in the morning while getting dressed.

Diagnosis was vasal-vagal syncope. Solution was a pacemaker to add in the missing beats that would sometimes happen.

In the workup, they also found I had bradycardia. They initially set the pacemaker to keep at least 60 bpm. I found that really annoying, because I could feel the pacemaker working. The dr finally lowered the pace to 50 bpm.

Somewhat reassuring, to see how many others have a need for a pacemaker.

 

[razztazz]

The first mention that I had a slow heart rate was when I was 23, along with low BP. Nobody else ever mentioned it or cared except the occasional doctor who thought it was actually good as long as I wasn't having dizzy spells. 47 bpm standing up. BP usually 98-110 over 58-70. After I had a really bad heart attack they stopped liking it. Too low, too slow. Ya can't win

 

[Jimq]

Do any of you people take Plavix or generic Plavix? I have read some research that this medicine would slow your heart. My heart runs 50's/60s at rest and at night goes down to 45 low point. No other symptoms, however when I get up and walk my heart goes to 80/90. I am 65.

 

[mountainsoft]

My heart rate averages in the low 50's during the day. I've never tracked it at night. Back when I was on Metoprolol my heart rate was often in the mid 40's during the day. Doctors were never concerned about my heart rate, though I did have to change the settings in my home ECG monitor so it didn't always show Bradycardia (anything under 60 by default).

My wife's heart rate averages in the mid 80's, but would occasionally drop to the low 40's causing her to pass out. She ended up getting a pacemaker in 2018 and has had no issues since then. She only uses her pacemaker about 1-2% of the time.

My mom also got a pacemaker a year later when half of her heart quit working. Her heart rate dropped to the low 40's but, unlike my wife, she remained conscious and alert despite the low rate. She uses her pacemaker about 95% of the time, she likely wouldn't be alive without it.

 

[GenXguy]

My heart rate has dropped to 42 in some recent nights. I always read that's a good sign of health. I do walk and bike and am not fat, so that surely helps.

 

[Original Wally]

DW Molly was diagnosed with arrhythmia last August. She is 72. Normal BP but since a cardioversion she is now in a 40-45 heart rate. They are CONSIDERING a pacemaker. She is absolutely a-symptomatic.