What Causes Low Heart Rate While Resting?

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014

Question: I have had premature/skipped heart beats for many years sometimes several a day and sometimes 1 or 2 and have been taking ramipril & metoprolol for several years and have had normal to lower blood pressure such as 118/ 76 and hrt rate usually 68-70 for years. For the last week I find my heart rate when sitting for awhile is almost always 42 and sometimes 39 - always when sitting/resting. If I get up and walk around or am physical in any way & take my readings it is usually 108/72 hrt 66 or 68.I am 78 years old and considered a young 78.
I do not smoke (for over 30 years) drink some beer on Saturdays and nothing else. I am 6'1" (used to be 6'2 1/2" and weigh 204 lbs. My background has been military airborne 52-59 and law enforcement 61 to 1995 when I retired.
What should I do, if anything , about this continued low heart rate near 40 when resting or not active?
I find this low heart rate very "scary" and do not scare easily. My brother 2 yrs older has had a pacemaker
for about 15 years and is very active at 80 yrs of age. Our mother died of heart problems at age 86.
I know the suggestion/direction has always been to go to the emergency ward but that is 25 miles away and hopefully is not really the thing to do.
Should I be worried and seek emergency help - or what is your input. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need holter monitoring

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
Your heart rate during rest is 40 which is slow, the good thing is during standing or physical activity there is adequate acceleration.
If you don't have complains, such as dizziness, weakness and never have fainted there is no need to go to ER.
Anyway you should undergo holter monitoring.

Hope I could help you.
If you have further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T