Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes A Lower Resting Heart Rate When Sleeping?
Question: I have have a few questions which are on my mind constantly. Over the past six months I have had 2 echos , 3 holter, several ecgs and 2 stress tests. The last groups of tests were done last week. Everything has turned out structurally normal. My stress test was very good. The holter showed occasional pacs and pvcs. One thing that does concern me is my resting heart rate of around 52-56. My holter was always in sinus rythm and average heart rate was 70. However at rest my heart rate goes that low. Also during sleep it went to 41 for a short period. That was during deep sleep. I am very worried but my doctor says everything is normal. Is this the case? I am not athletic but over the past 10 months I have lost 75 lbs through proper diet. I am a 31 year old male. Can you please help me out
Brief Answer:
Your doctor is right
Detailed Answer:
It's not abnormal to have a resting heart rate of around 50bpm (beats per minute) and when you sleep heart rate is expected to drop by an other 10bpm. Same is your case. As long as there are no symptoms, in sinus rhythm any heart rate is acceptable. And you don't need any treatment. Just watch for giddiness, light headdress or excessive fatigue, if any of these happen you need to relook
Otherwise nothing to be done. Just one more thought, have you had your thyroid tested and is it normal?
Your doctor is right
Detailed Answer:
It's not abnormal to have a resting heart rate of around 50bpm (beats per minute) and when you sleep heart rate is expected to drop by an other 10bpm. Same is your case. As long as there are no symptoms, in sinus rhythm any heart rate is acceptable. And you don't need any treatment. Just watch for giddiness, light headdress or excessive fatigue, if any of these happen you need to relook
Otherwise nothing to be done. Just one more thought, have you had your thyroid tested and is it normal?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hi Doctor Thank you for your response. Could weight loss be the reason for the lowering of the heart rate? I am not exercising that is why I was worried about the low heart rate. Also is it safe to take the following vitamin. Magnesium citrate, vitamin c, multi vitamin, omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin b complex? I heard they can be beneficial.
Brief Answer:
No unless it is consequence of athletics
Detailed Answer:
You probably have low intrinsic rare unrelated to all of it like exercise. Since your tmt ate normal you can go ahead with exercise.
Yes the vitamin and supplement you mentioned are pretty safe
No unless it is consequence of athletics
Detailed Answer:
You probably have low intrinsic rare unrelated to all of it like exercise. Since your tmt ate normal you can go ahead with exercise.
Yes the vitamin and supplement you mentioned are pretty safe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Doctor I have one last question. I have pvc or pacs with the low heart rate. Is this a concern. This morning when I woke up I could feel my heart beat speed up then an extra beat then some slow beats and then some faster beats. It happened for approximately 10 minutes.
Brief Answer:
Since you already have vpcs this can happen
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you already have vpcs This can happen for sometime before you stop worrying.
Don't bother.
Regards,
Since you already have vpcs this can happen
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you already have vpcs This can happen for sometime before you stop worrying.
Don't bother.
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
