Resting Heart Rate Concerns

[dude24]

Should I be worried that my heart rate has gone down 14 beats (average) in less than a month?  I started working out again (after almost a year because of a ruptured achilles) and have been at a normal range of 56-65 RHR for the past few months.  This month has been the exception...I even tried to see if I could get my heart rate down below 40 and was successful for a few seconds at 39 (because why not and I'm a stupid dude lol).  I first thought my Fitbit versa 2 was malfunctioning but I used manual and separate blood pressure/heart rate monitor and both confirmed the data.  I "researched" the entire internet and only found out about elite athletes having that low of a heart rate (which I am not) and possibly bradycardia.  Otherwise, I feel great and healthy.

Should I be worried or should I be happy that my heart isn't working as hard?  I honestly was afraid to sleep last night because I didn't want my heart to slow down so much that my body wouldn't have enough oxygen SMH lol.  I tried to research my blood pressure data (115/65 average) with my heart rate data...no luck.

 

[WavyDavey]

Hi @dude24,

I don't think anyone here can tell you from a chart with any certainty if you have reason to worry or not. But the fact that the concern is interfering with your sleep is an indicator you should probably follow up with a doctor, just to be safe.

[emili · Accepted solution]

@dude24 normally a low RHR isn't cause for concern, but it seems like it is really stressing you out which is the opposite of what you should be going through. call your doctor and do a video appointment just to rule out any issues. He will probably tell you that you have a slow heart. I hear that a lot. If you are on any kind of meds or routinely take motrin or advil, that could be slowing it down too. If I take those for aches and run, my HR is slightly slower for the run than if I didn't take anything. And when I was taking beta blockers, I couldn't get my RHR above 42. I no longer have to take them and I have leveled out at 50

[dude24]

@emili thanks for the answer.  i went to bed after the post and didn't die when i woke up so i dismissed it and stopped worrying about it.  i was just worried that my heart was slowing down to a stop after i got my heart rate down to 39 lol.  i been doing a lot of cardio and tried out different fasting plans (such as warrior) because why not during isolation so may have contributed to my normal low heart rate now lol.

[emili]

Well thank goodness for that👍👆

[kmac56]

Mine suddenly dropped from 70s to around 50.  This happened in a month.  It’s really worrying me.  I’m in my 60s, fat and out of shape so it’s not like I’m an athlete.  I’m driving my cardiologist crazy.  I’ve had stress test, 10 day monitor and echocardiogram.  They say all ok even though I do get in 40s during sleep.  Wth.  I know it shouldn’t have changed that suddenly.  Did fitbit change something around May or June?

[dude24]

unfortunately I can't answer as to why you're heart rate dropped as fast as mine did.  my heart rate is now "stable" at the low 50s.  the only thing I could research for myself was bradycardia.  I think emili (previous post) said it best.  tbh, I'm on the opposite spectrum as I'm fairly fit, just not elite athlete fit (as indicated in my first post).

but as far as I know, Fitbit didn't change any data collection and reporting in May/Jun and besides, I did validate the data with a different bp monitor and manual.

hope you at least get the answer for your concerns from a medical professional.  stay safe.

[t.parker]

@kmac56 your heart has way less to do when you sleep and it will slow down. It's normal. When I was obese and unfit my HR could sit between 50-60 at rest. In some cases, it may be a medical condition, and in others, including mine, just genetics. My heart is just lazy with no negative effect on my health. If you can easily elevate your heart rate, you have no problems with it getting stuck at low numbers then probably, as your cardiologist says, everything is fine. It is normal for some people to have a slower beating heart. Doing more cardio will also affect your heart (in a positive way). Now, at rest, my heart rate stays at the lower 40s but shortly after waking up when I measure my HRV, I can see it dropping below 40. Nothing to worry about for me. If your doctor says that everything is fine then you can see it as some sort of genetic advantage 😉

[kmac56]

Thanks.  It just is worrisome.   Was startling that it changed so suddenly with no corresponding change in my life or medical history. 

[Heybales]

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@kmac56 wrote:

Mine suddenly dropped from 70s to around 50.  This happened in a month.  It’s really worrying me.  I’m in my 60s, fat and out of shape so it’s not like I’m an athlete.  I’m driving my cardiologist crazy.  I’ve had stress test, 10 day monitor and echocardiogram.  They say all ok even though I do get in 40s during sleep.  Wth.  I know it shouldn’t have changed that suddenly.  Did fitbit change something around May or June?

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Are you actually looking at the HR graphs?

Or just looking at a figure that says resting HR on Fitbit?

Or that is their monitor that says in 40's during sleep?

If so - is that really Fitbit?

Fitbit's RHR includes awake sitting around time too, not the traditional RHR figure - first thing in morning before moving around.

So indeed Fitbit's algorithm for what they report could have changed.

The device on your arm could also have changed it's location and it's less accurate reading low.

You actually taken some mornings to take your pulse manually before moving around? If alarm makes it jump just lie back down and pause - usually not that long before you can get a good reading.