Resting heart rate getting very low. Abnormal?

[MnL-Pacific]

Just turned 40 this year. Used to run in my 20s off and on. Back then I was about 150 lbs. And my resting heart rate was upper 50s if I was out of shape and upper 40s if I was in shape.

Then I switched to weightlifting for about 10 years. Basically did no running. Weighed 215 lbs at my strongest. Maybe 20% body fat.

So I’m back to running now and my dad bought me the Fitbit Iconic to help me track my steps and sleep. And I notice my heart rate was 48 while at work and sleeping. Then I started running very slow compared to my younger days. I’m running a 9:00 mile pace, 15 miles per week maybe. And still lifting weights but much less than I have been.

So anyways. I’m down to 170 lbs now and did a couple of 4 x 400 meter intervals. And now my resting heart rate is 40 at work and 32 while sleeping. So I’m kinda freaked out this is getting abnormally low. Like what if it gets so slow I die? Maybe I’m thinking I shouldn’t run and just walk instead. I just checked my heart rate while walking and it was 50. Really? Counted myself and it had slowed to 45 from standing for 30 seconds.

I guess I’m looking for similar stories from Fitbit users my age. If you have stats like mine, are you considered healthy in all respects by your doctor? Or are you being watched for bradycardia or any other issues? 

[Bill_k]

So i looked this up and found a couple articles that might help.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979

https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20851173/is-my-resting-heart-rate-too-low/

I think you definitely fall into the category of a trained athlete so it might not be a problem and it  seems from what i read that if you decrease your training the heart rate will reverse. I myself notice a quick change to my resting heart rate if i stop exercising for a week.It can go from 58 to 62 in a few days.

Hope this helps.

[WavyDavey]

@MnL-Pacific, if you're at all concerned, you should see a doctor about this. We can't see or know you from here, and I'd hate for anyone to tell you something's fine if you're worried. That's the doctor's job.

[emili]

@MnL-Pacific  hey there. I am with Dave on this. If you are concerned you should go see a doctor. they will do the tests needed to either calm your nerves or suggest a plan to bring it up. Either way he or she is the only person qualified to say to you specifically that all is OK. we are all so different genetically, fitness, rest, nutrition- what may be normal for one is not for another. 

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi 

Just to make sure all is healthy with your heart, check it out with  a sports medicine doc or a cardiologist.  That is what health insurance is for and you can prevent major trouble, just in case.

B

[Colinm39]

@MnL-PacificI'm another who would advise allaying your fears by getting yourself checked.. As an added benefit the experts may give you a stress test as well and then you would probably/may get your Vo2max to compare with your Fitbit..

At 40 it's definitely a benefit to establish a baseline of you health as you go into this decade..

My sleeping HR is not as low, but gets to 41 in the later part of my sleep, RHR is typically 52..

I was cleared for Bradycardia last year, my doctor just wanted to make sure because I don't get giddy or any of the other symptoms.. Just my genetic makeup.

Keep us posted how you are going..