I’m having a debate with a friend. She is telling me that low heart rate (below 60 bpm) is not good? I’m 34 yrs old and not exactly fast just the typical middle of the pack, my resting heart rate is mid 40’s. I’m sure most people’s resting heart rate is prob around 40’s anyway. I told her low heart rate basically means the heart don’t have to work as hard but she refuse to belive it. Someone help me win this debate
I’m having a debate with a friend. She is telling me that low heart rate (below 60 bpm) is not good? I’m 34 yrs old and not exactly fast just the typical middle of the pack, my resting heart rate is mid 40’s. I’m sure most people’s resting heart rate is prob around 40’s anyway. I told her low heart rate basically means the heart don’t have to work as hard but she refuse to belive it. Someone help me win this debate
Your friend needs to do some research…
NOTE: This is not medical advice. I’m not your doctor and have never met you. If you have any specific questions about yourself, you need to see your doctor.
Ok, with legalities out of the way…
You subject line was, “can a slow heart rate possibly be bad?” The answer to that is definitely YES. While many endurance athletes have slow heart rates due to mechanisms previously discussed here, that is not the ONLY reason an athlete may have a slow heart rate and I HAVE seen athletes in my practice with cardiac problems, some of them serious.
For instance, about a year ago, I had an elite marathon runner who showed up with the expected depressed resting heart rate. However, he didn’t “feel right” when running and was having difficulty with his workouts. We did a stress test…turned out he was unable to elevate his HR appropriately, and ended up having an electrical abnormality that required a pacemaker.
Thus, people who have questions should definitely see their primary care doctor, preferably one qualified in sports medicine.
(Dr.) Philbert
I would amend the last line to read
Thus, people who have questions about a worrisome symptom should definitely see their primary care doctor, preferably one qualified in sports medicine; a low pulse in a person who feels fine should not be a reason for a doctor´s visit.
NOTE: This is not medical advice. I’m not your doctor and have never met you. If you have any specific questions about yourself, you need to see your doctor.
Ok, with legalities out of the way…
You subject line was, “can a slow heart rate possibly be bad?” The answer to that is definitely YES. While many endurance athletes have slow heart rates due to mechanisms previously discussed here, that is not the ONLY reason an athlete may have a slow heart rate and I HAVE seen athletes in my practice with cardiac problems, some of them serious.
For instance, about a year ago, I had an elite marathon runner who showed up with the expected depressed resting heart rate. However, he didn’t “feel right” when running and was having difficulty with his workouts. We did a stress test…turned out he was unable to elevate his HR appropriately, and ended up having an electrical abnormality that required a pacemaker.
Thus, people who have questions should definitely see their primary care doctor, preferably one qualified in sports medicine.
(Dr.) Philbert
Yes, for two reasons, but these are the extreme cases.
One, from personal experience very low numbers (sub 40bpm) in some individuals can be associated with other problems, like afib, and may signal need for pacemaker later in life. Without pacemaker, could lead to early death, thats definitely bad.
Two, well, consider the obvious end-member, if it gets too slow, it can stop…
For your debate, the good benefits far outweigh the negative for the vast majority of people, I would think.
possibly is your key word.
like most other health or medical related questions and debates that show up here, this is one which definitely fits into the, “…your results may vary…” theme.
your friend is wrong for assuming that any or all low heart rates are not “good”. and even then…who sets the bar for low? it is simply the rest of the story that provides the answer.
My really low hr was causing me to have my arms and legs fall asleep when I was sleeping. Turned out I was undiagnosed hypothyroid, my resting hr was 37. now on medication my resting hr is 42. I’m moderately fit.
Dave
Well 60 low?
I had when i was in top condition rest of 32 bpm now about 45,but i guess blood pressure is more important
Example i have 65 /120 hart rate 45.
my wife pressure 48 / 96 hart rate 101
So what worse.
???
In non athletes it can and probably is bad. For endurance athletes it’s a normal physiological response that occurs with improved cardiac output. Our hearts simply pump more blood per stroke, therefore it beats less, but does the same amount of work.