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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Be Concerned About The Low Heart Rates?

im concerned my heart rate is too low. i've been eating the right foods and moderately exercising. since january I've lost 45-50 lbs. today BP was 121/70, bpm was 54, weight 251 , bmi 35.1, age 53, 5'11'', male. I had exercised about 1.5 hours earlier (bicycle and very light free weights 10 lbs, pushups, squats. nothing heavy duty. Should I be concerned?jdahlm1
Wed, 5 Aug 2015
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello, sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.

I will start my answer by telling you that a heart rate at 54 beats per minute is not that low. Worldwide, the standard normal figures of heart rate are 60-100. In highly trained athletes and in people with vigorous physical activity, it is accepted as normal down to 48 beats per minute. If you did not experience some symptoms, such as dizziness, near-fainting or abrupt fainting, then with highest probability you have nothing to worry about. But, in my experience, I do not fight about what is 95% sure. I rather fight to clear that 5% of suspicion I have. Therefore, I would recommend you to be put on a 24- or 48-hour Holter rhythm monitor registration, to be clear is this heart rate, in your case, something to worry about, or not. Keep in mind that some of the drugs, used to treat high blood pressure, can cause lowering of the heart rate, as well, such as most of the beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (verapamil and diltiazem). If you are on these drugs, I suggest you to discuss with your curing doctor, to lower their dosage or switch to an another blood pressure-lowering drug class.

I hope I was helpful. Wish you a good health.
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Should I Be Concerned About The Low Heart Rates?

Hello, sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. I will start my answer by telling you that a heart rate at 54 beats per minute is not that low. Worldwide, the standard normal figures of heart rate are 60-100. In highly trained athletes and in people with vigorous physical activity, it is accepted as normal down to 48 beats per minute. If you did not experience some symptoms, such as dizziness, near-fainting or abrupt fainting, then with highest probability you have nothing to worry about. But, in my experience, I do not fight about what is 95% sure. I rather fight to clear that 5% of suspicion I have. Therefore, I would recommend you to be put on a 24- or 48-hour Holter rhythm monitor registration, to be clear is this heart rate, in your case, something to worry about, or not. Keep in mind that some of the drugs, used to treat high blood pressure, can cause lowering of the heart rate, as well, such as most of the beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (verapamil and diltiazem). If you are on these drugs, I suggest you to discuss with your curing doctor, to lower their dosage or switch to an another blood pressure-lowering drug class. I hope I was helpful. Wish you a good health.