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Q: Slow Heart Rate
asked by: Bek on September 25th, 2006
Experienced User
I went to my doctor 5 years ago because I was feeling tired and lethargic. He did some blood tests and they came back fine so he put me on a 24 hour holter monitor. The monitor showed that at 5.30am my heart rate while asleep was 33bpm, the rest of the time while resting it was in the 40-50 and while awake in the 60's. He referred me to a cardioligist, he did all the heart tests including another 24 hour monitor this time while asleep my heart rate was 46 bpm at one stage the rest of the time the same as before. After all the tests - stress test, ecg, ekg, bloods, ultra sound on my heart, lung test etc he told me that I suffer from anxiety but my heart if fine. I got pregnant had my daughter and then decided I wanted to double check this so I went to another cardioligist all the same tests - the holter monitor showed a reading of 48 while sleeping. And he told me the same I am health and there if anything is stress in my life that causes anxiety. Some times I feel tired and faint but the doctor tells me this is my anxiety and when I take my pulse when I feel like this it is 60-65ish.

My questions is why would my heart rate have dropped to 33bpm, is this dangerous and should I have regular check or see someone else? During the day my heart rate is around 60 - 70 when I check it (and the monitors all show this),so why is it dropping at night. Please answer - not sure why I am stressing about it now it has just come back and hit my like a tonne of brick that I never got an answer.
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Replies(12)
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Bek
replied on October 31st, 2006
Experienced User
Re-post - Anyone
???
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Jaydensmommy
replied on November 2nd, 2006
Advanced Support Team
Everything in your body slows down at night including your heart. Your heart dosen't have to work as hard when you are in a state of rest. I do not think 33bpm was too low or else your doc would have brought immediate attention to it. Maybe you were extremely tired during those times in which you had that first holter monitor. Not sure what to tell you but id relax (i know its hard) they would have found something if there was anything wrong. Worrying will only make your stress leve rise and make things worse for you. Good luck!
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Bek
replied on November 5th, 2006
Experienced User
Thanks jaydensmommy. That does make sense, just hard to handle when I am having an anxiety attack. I check my pulse 4 or 5 times a day even when feeling good and my heart rate is always about 60 - 65. When slightly anxious it is about 80 and when very anxious it is about 95. I get more of a pounding then an increased rate

thanks so much for replying and if you have anything that you need help with or want to ask a couple of questions please contact me and I will see if I can help
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Jenna2
replied on November 9th, 2006
New User
Hey bek,

stop checking your pulse! If you went to a cardiologist, and he said your fine then you've got to stop worrying. Checking you pulse 20 times a day can drive you crazy and make you panic because you're worried about it. I had to see a counselor about it because I had to get out of the habit of checking my pulse every 5 mins, once I stopped doing that the anxiety and everything else along with it stopped. That is my advice to you.
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jon15n
replied on November 15th, 2006
New User
Just a couple questions:

do you exercise regularly?

Is there any noticeable pain or discomfort in your chest throughout the day?

How's your blood pressure?

You should consider there are many factors when approximating a normal heart rate for any individual. Diet, exercise, & family history, along with other variables, play a definitive role.
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Bek
replied on November 15th, 2006
Experienced User
I walk twice a week - sometimes more for about an hour, my blood pressure is fine just had a 24 hour monitor and the only chest pain that I get is when I am anxious - never when exercising.
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timevans
replied on November 24th, 2006
New User
Are You Athletic
Those who perform high intestity cardio-vascular workouts, particularly long distance running, tend to have low heart rates. I typically, during the day have a heart rate in the lows 60's, at night, mine too will drop into the high 30's and low 40's. If you tend to be athletic, your heart has learned to not work as hard during the rest of your day. How's your blood pressure?
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Rwillis99
replied on July 13th, 2009
New User
low heart rate
I'm having the same situation during the day my heart rate will drop to low fortys, I work a desk job and i get really tired, can't keep my eyes open, sometimes this happens driving home too. I had the 24 monitor and my lowest rate came back a 39 and during the times I reported having the tired spells durting work the rate ranged between 46 and 53, I'm about 30 pounds overweight, and not athletic by any means I have 3 kids and work on houses and cars in my spare time never have any instances unless I'm sitting down. This used to happen to me in college and high school too but I always just thought it was cause I was bored and didn't go to bed early enough the night before, I never new my heart rate was dropping so low, during regular mannual work activity my heart rate ranges from 60 to about 68 is there anything that can be done to help me stay awake, Caffine isn't working for me at all and I don't want to get in trouble at work for nodding off. The only other thing I have read about is getting a pace maker and I'm not looking foward to that. Should I be concerned?
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jdman73
replied on July 14th, 2009
New User
Same problem here ? I have a pulse that stays in the 60's all day and falls around 50 at night before I fall asleep . So I know it drops lower as I sleep . I then wake and my pulse will go from around 70 to low 100's .. 115 being my highest seen . This will happen for the first 2 or 3 hours of my day . then it will quickly fall back into the 60's while not doing alot of activity . 70's if I am doing something a little more physical . But I feel tired all the time . Would like to find out what is going on . and dose anyone else have this kind of problem? Thanks
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farmtown1
replied on July 17th, 2009
New User
Heart rate slow Long QT syndrome
I have a heart rate that stays in the low 50s and 40s during the day. I used to have a heart rate around 62 and was told that was great due to I used to be a long distance runner. Two years ago I started feeling faint and tired...did the heart monitor for a month, EKG, Stress test and all. I was told that I had a perfectly normal heart and could do whatever it needed to do at a rate of 42bpm. So why do I have to feel so tired and what can I do about it? By the way, my 3 EKG's showed Long QT syndrome....still the doctor said don't worry. He gave me a list of medicines to NOT TAKE AND TOLD ME TO NOT SWIM OR RUN ALONE AGAIN. Should I be worried?
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rickc
replied on August 8th, 2009
New User
slow heart rate
hi, i'm having similiar problems myself... i'm 23 years old and my heart rate is alays slow unless im doing any physical exercise, it goes from one extreme to another. for example: over the last few months i have been checking my pulse quite often and at any time of rest, even during the day, my pulse is always between 42-55 bpm (never higher).. i had an ECG 2 weeks ago and the results showed my rate was 44bpm.. had blood tests etc too and they came back clear.. doc isn't overly worried and hasn't suggested anything at all but i kinda am a little concerned, because i cant see how having such a slow rate every part of every day (besides during exercise) is normal and not dangerous.. sorry for blabbering on, but if there is anyone who has been through the same sorta thing but for a longer period of time please can you help ease my concerns because frankly its driving me mad now.. appreciate it
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CrazyBam
replied on August 8th, 2009
New User
Heart Rate, Anxiety
Im 19 bout to be 20. I've had anxiety for about 2 years now, so I freak out about everything! I have been checking my heart rate everyday at least 60-80 times a day. Recently I noticed my heart rate was around 52. I was a little concerned. Then the next night I was laying down on the couch and I checked it. it was right around 44 BPM. I called my mom over haha she brought a wrist blood pressure machine over. I really got freaked out when it said 163/92 Ive been told the're not very accurate. I went to the ER. They checked my HR and BP by then my Hr had gone up (from anxiety) my Bp was around 150/81. Im 5'11 150lbs worked out for about 5 years and on and off this whole last year. The Doc just said that it is fine. Also that I will live longer. He said no worries 40-46 The lower your heart rate the less it has to work you live longer.... Just watch for excessive tiredness, also dizziness. Even with these don't freak out cause there also accociated with anxiety. Its best to ask your Doc about any questions you have! O yeah (this is already to long)Anyone know what it means when after I've been sitting for awhile and I stand up and walk to somewhere and stop, my heart rate is slow and very hard. Not always just sometimes. Also a little pain, but I think the pain is from the way I slouch on my knees. So the pounding hurst my breatbone....
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