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What Causes Low Heart Rate?
Question: I have a resting heart rate that goes into the 50 ' s mostly at night. If I go to watch TV in the evening and sit on the couch my heart rate slows down to the low to mid 50 ' s . I have lost a lot of weight over the past 10 months from 295 LBS down to 220 Lbs. However I do not exercise very much. Is this normal. I'm worried because it feels so slow. Sometimes when I get up from the couch I'll feel 5 or 6 slow hard heart beats until it speeds up during movement. Usually with any movement my heart rate speeds up accordingly. I have seen a cardiologist and have ad several tests including holter monitor, ECG, stress test, echo. Everything showed as normal. My holter showed occasional pacs and pvcs. No runs. I am a little worried because of the resting heart rate but I lost the weight because I changed my diet and started eating very healthy including fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken fish and beans and grains.
Brief Answer:
You shouldn't worry everything is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
I read your query and would like to say that you shouldn't worry about your heart rate. It's normal and healthy to have a resting heart rate on the mid 50's at the evening.
In the evening the brain (which control HR) is preparing you for night sleep. To do so the brain decrease adrenaline release (sympathetic nervous system activity) and increase vagal activity (parasympathetic nervous system). As a result the heart rate drop to mid 50's.
Moreover you have loose weigh to fast and this is another cause of the slightly bradycardia (mid 50's) you have.
As long as the test are normal you should stay relaxed nothing wrong with happen to you. What you experienced when you stand up are premature cardiac beats which were present on Holter.
I recommend to continue with healthy lifestyle and diet.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
You shouldn't worry everything is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
I read your query and would like to say that you shouldn't worry about your heart rate. It's normal and healthy to have a resting heart rate on the mid 50's at the evening.
In the evening the brain (which control HR) is preparing you for night sleep. To do so the brain decrease adrenaline release (sympathetic nervous system activity) and increase vagal activity (parasympathetic nervous system). As a result the heart rate drop to mid 50's.
Moreover you have loose weigh to fast and this is another cause of the slightly bradycardia (mid 50's) you have.
As long as the test are normal you should stay relaxed nothing wrong with happen to you. What you experienced when you stand up are premature cardiac beats which were present on Holter.
I recommend to continue with healthy lifestyle and diet.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor Thank you again for your response. I got worried because last night when I checked my heart rate while lying down in bed it was 52.i just get worried that it can drop lower. Also is it normal for the pacs and pvcs to occur during sleep or up waking up? When I check my pulse in the morning it feels like it is irregular. Some faster beats and some slower beats. The holter said sinus rythm
Brief Answer:
Cardiac arrhuthmias are more frequent during wake up...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
As I mentioned is normal to have low HR at night due to parasympathetic nervous system increased activities. You shouldn't worry nothing will happen to you this is a normal (physiologic) process.
In the early hours of the morning (during wake up hours) there's an increased activity of sympathetic nervous system, which is followed by an increase of adrenaline secretion. High adrenaline on blood will cause palpitation tachycardia and an increased number of premature cardiac complexes (PVCs and PACs).
So bradycardia happen during the night hours and arrhythmia (premature cardiac complexes) is more frequent in the early morning during wake up.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Cardiac arrhuthmias are more frequent during wake up...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
As I mentioned is normal to have low HR at night due to parasympathetic nervous system increased activities. You shouldn't worry nothing will happen to you this is a normal (physiologic) process.
In the early hours of the morning (during wake up hours) there's an increased activity of sympathetic nervous system, which is followed by an increase of adrenaline secretion. High adrenaline on blood will cause palpitation tachycardia and an increased number of premature cardiac complexes (PVCs and PACs).
So bradycardia happen during the night hours and arrhythmia (premature cardiac complexes) is more frequent in the early morning during wake up.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for explaining that doctor. Are these types of increases in palpitations or heart rate safe? Will I be ok?
Brief Answer:
You shouldn't worry...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
Increased heart rate and palpitations in the morning is a normal finding. You shouldn't worry about that, nothing will happen. Are benign i.e. safe findings and you will be ok.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
You shouldn't worry...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
Increased heart rate and palpitations in the morning is a normal finding. You shouldn't worry about that, nothing will happen. Are benign i.e. safe findings and you will be ok.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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