Resting heart rate

[yorkie]

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm). A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm while you’re resting.

However, it will vary depending on when it’s measured and what you were doing immediately before the reading.

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

For some people such as athletes, bradycardia doesn’t pose a health risk. But if you have a low heart rate and are experiencing symptoms like fainting, fatigue and dizziness then you should make an appointment with your GP.

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Just measured mine, 60 exactly. To get the lowest figure one should measure just after waking, before getting up

Perhaps you should seek medical advice about dizziness

Some athletes (cyclists especially, maybe others) have a resting heart rate under 40, their hearts are very big and strong. Not sure what happens to their hearts when they stop competing/training every day and cycle just for fun occasionally

 

[Gloster]

I have to check my heart rate every morning before I take my morning cocktail of pills. I am not supposed to take one of them if it measures below 40 for more than a few seconds, and I am also supposed to contact the doctor if starts to be regularly below 50. Even though the situation when I measure the rate is always the same (sitting in the chair for 10+ minutes while I eat a bite of breakfast and drink some coffee) the rate can vary widely. It can often wander below 40, even as far as 36, or it can be up in the 90s. I do have AF, Atrial Fibrillation, which is an irregular and often high rate, which is what one of the pills is for.

If you are sure that you have an unusual rate, it is probably worth having a quick check up with a doctor. The cause is probably not serious, but it could be or it could be masking another problem. I had another problem and completely collapsed nearly two years ago: I ended up spending two months in hospital and over a year in a care home, although my departure from the latter was delayed by Covid.

On rereading I would say that the momentarily blindness is possibly more of a concern. Unfortunately, I have forgotten most of what I was told in the hospital as I was out of my head on (prescription) drugs.

 

[Bayum]

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

Depending on how athletic you are (don’t forget there are many factors for cardiovascular fitness) then it could very well be correct. I know you cycle a lot, which is a vigorous cardiovascular activity, so you will have had a good period of time of strengthening your heart and giving you this lovely low resting pulse.

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

Standing up too quickly could be an orthodontic hypotension (postural hypotension ((body is unable to compensate for the sudden need of increased blood pressure)) or a vaso vegal response. Could do with it being checked out really. If you have an electric BP machine, it could be worth getting a resting blood pressure and then a blood pressure on immediately standing.

 

[yorkie]

Just measured mine, 60 exactly. To get the lowest figure one should measure just after waking, before getting up

Perhaps you should seek medical advice about dizziness

It used to occur more often when I was at school; I did seek medical advice but they found nothing wrong and it happened less and less frequently over time and I usually don't even think about it.

From https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/symptoms-causes/syc-20352548

Occasional dizziness or lightheadedness may be fairly minor — triggered by mild dehydration, low blood sugar or overheating. Dizziness or lightheadedness may also happen when you stand after sitting for a long time. If these symptoms happen only occasionally, there's likely no cause for concern.

So I think it's okay.

Some athletes (cyclists especially, maybe others) have a resting heart rate under 40, their hearts are very big and strong. Not sure what happens to their hearts when they stop competing/training every day and cycle just for fun occasionally

Good question. I would not compare well against such athletes but on the other hand I do frequently overtake much slower cyclists on steep uphill sections (and without feeling breathless)

I am currently trying to run/jog to work, as cycling is too easy and the Government are currently denying my ability to keep as fit as I otherwise would be.

I am currently trying to force myself to do more running (which feels great afterwards but it's hard to be motivated to get out and do it) in order to be able to do my usual 5 hours a week of football when we are finally given our basic freedoms back in four weeks time.

 

[Furrball]

Not an athlete (used to be pretty fit but injury has taken its toll!) but have had a low resting heart rate since I first measured it as a teen - hovering around mid 40s when fully chilled!

 

[eMeS]

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

Yes, I've measured my heart rate using both a domestic blood-pressure cuff type gadget, and more frequently using an oximeter. I bought the oximeter following a heart attack in December 2019, and it frequently shows my heart is beating at less than the "60" bpm. It also shows that my O2 Sat level rarely get above 95%, whereas my slightly older partner hit 99% - we're both in our 80s.
When I was in hospital following the heart attack, and wired to monitors, and bored... I found that deep breathing, arm exercises and other changes to my normal unconscious breathing pattern could produce quite large changes to the figures. In hospital the biggest difficulty was keeping the electrodes on my body - they fell off so easily, and set off the alarms at the nurses' station.
A year ago, 3 months after discharge, I was lined up for a hospital monitored exercise regime, but Covid stopped that going ahead, so I never did get to do exercise whilst connected to a monitor.

 

[yorkie]

Standing up too quickly could be an orthodontic hypotension (postural hypotension ((body is unable to compensate for the sudden need of increased blood pressure)) or a vaso vegal response. Could do with it being checked out really. If you have an electric BP machine, it could be worth getting a resting blood pressure and then a blood pressure on immediately standing.

Thanks; is just posted the above before reading this

I'm not sure it's worth getting it checked out as it's less if an issue than it used to be; it happened a lot more as a kid and there was nothing found to be wrong then.

Worst occasion was a Year 8 assembly; for some reason it was in the canteen not the hall and our class was last to arrive so no seats left. And I wasn't able to stay stood up near the radiator for the duration!

Not an athlete (used to be pretty fit but injury has taken its toll!) but have had a low resting heart rate since I first measured it as a teen - hovering around mid 40s when fully chilled!

Maybe it's a good sign that your heart is still very strong from when you used to be pretty fit?

I'm surprised it's that low if you were not an athlete though but maybe someone will be able to answer that ( I am often amazed at the specialist knowledge we have among forum members, but with around 8k active* members maybe I shouldn't be!)

(* Measured as having logged in within the past 4 weeks)

 

[Furrball]

Maybe it's a good sign that your heart is still very strong from when you used to be pretty fit?

No idea if it is a carry over! Actually have slightly high blood pressure but seems to be genetic as it goes through the family. Never had anything flagged from the docs

Sitting here now, having had a few beers earlier and finishing up some work it is sitting at 60. If I chilled on the sofa for 15 mins that would be down to mid to low 50s

It does mean that at times when getting stressed it feels like my heart is about to leap out of me but is actually only at about 100!

 

[bspahh]

I measure my heart rate first thing each morning for a research project. Its usually in the range of 55-58bpm. I'm 54, and in good health apart from being overweight.

This uses a phone app which uses the light and camera and over a minute, recording a reasonable plot of the blood pressure. I've got a finger oximeter which reports a similar heart rate and 96-97% oxygenation. These were both supplied by the researchers.

I've also got a Mi Band 5 watch which tracks every few minutes 24-7. Over the last few days, it reports my resting heart rate has been 55-57, with a minimum of 49, pottering around the house during the day would be 60-80. If I go for a 3mph walk, my heart rate goes to ~110. For my last half hour run then it would be 140-150 with a peak at 165.

The battery for this lasts a couple of weeks between charges. They cost about £30 (less if you order from China). A leather strap is another £6 or so from eBay.

 

[JohnMcL7]

Heartrates can vary considerably between people so what's normal for one person can be very wrong for another. Calculating resting heartrates is tricky and even using an HR monitor while sleeping which is meant to give the best results I find can still vary quite a bit depending on how well I've slept.

I've worn a smartwatch 24/7 for a few years now and I'm normally averaging around 55bpm with a range of 45-62bpm. I developed a thyroid condition a couple of years ago which made me monitor my resting heartrate very closely, over three weeks it climbed into the 60's and 70's by which point I was feeling extremely unwell and then when I was checked out and diagnosed I was hitting over 100 at times. Although 60-100 is considered a normal range it was awful for me as I couldn't sleep and it sapped all my energy reducing me from being able to do all day endurance rides to not even being able to sit up never mind walk.

Medication started dropping it but the next blood test showed the thyroid was now very underactive which the watch confirmed as it had kept on dropping and stabilised around 50bpm. I felt ok at this point but another advantage of having 24/7 monitoring is it gives a more complete view of your heartrate, what I noticed was during activities I couldn't bring it above 130 which limited my maximum performance. These two shots show the active heart rate zones on identical activities which took the same duration, the first is while the thyroid was overactive showing far too much time in the higher zones for the slow time:

And then underactive, again far too slow a time but this time not moving into the higher zones:

After another month once I reached back to around 55bpm resting consistently I stopped taking the thyroid boosting medication and the blood test agreed I was pretty much normal. I spent the next few months rebuilding my fitness although I couldn't have further blood tests due to covid but while my resting heartrate stayed around 55pm, my maximum climbed back up again and eventually I was able to hold 180-190bpm when needed again.

At the moment I'd say my fitness is very good as I've been more focused on bike performance with indoor riding this year but the resting heart rate has stayed around 55pbpm

That said I wouldn't say my brother is as fit as me as he doesn't really do any sports but he was doing a solid walk to work each day and when I had to pick him up after a sedation they weren't keen on letting him go because they thought his HR was too low but it seems it was fine.

 

[westv]

Just measured mine. 55
I am no athlete though.

 

[Crossover]

The issue when standing up sounds like it may be worth looking at PoTS (I apologise if one of the things mentioned upthread is it under a different name)

 

[_toommm_]

I rest at about 65. I’m pretty fit I’d say - I have put on a bit of timber since I broke my foot and then we descended into lockdown, but I am in the ‘normal’ BMI scale.

 

[devon_metro]

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

My resting heart rate was around 45 all last year, often falling to around 40 overnight during deep sleep. I did notice it increased to around 49 and 48 in January/February this year respectively as I was unable to cycle as regularly due to snow and ice. Since the weather has improved it has decreased again as i've been able to start cycling again (down to 46), so i'd say fitness can have a noticeable effect.

 

[takno]

I've read a couple of things that suggested that the 60-upwards thing was pretty absurd, since resting rates in the upper 50s were completely normal. Partly it's a consequence of these things being so much more measurable at home now, when people are genuinely at rest or even asleep. I do a fair amount of walking, sometimes quite fast, and my heart rate tends to vary from about 55 asleep (measured by fitbit), to 58 sitting in front of the TV, rarely below 75 standing up, and up to a hundred if I jump out a seat shortly after a coffee.

If you're concerned then it can be reassuring to have a play with a blood oximeter clip (although I'm not sure how available they are at the minute), particularly one that shows a graph. It's certainly also worth checking your bloody pressure, which can be done at home using a very reasonably-priced machine. Also always worth chatting with the doctor, if only because they're often fascinated by how poorly modern monitoring matches up with some of the stuff in their training.

 

[Gloster]

Also always worth chatting with the doctor, if only because they're often fascinated by how poorly modern monitoring matches up with some of the stuff in their training.

My heart rate was originally measured by the staff in the care home using the home’s meter, but when I was starting to prepare to come home, I bought my own oximeter through Argos. For the first month or two the readings were all over the place, resembling a very bad darts player’s scores more than anything else. Sometimes I had to borrow the home’s machine again, or later the NHS one they were sent because of Covid. My own finally settled down and, although the readings can vary, they do so within acceptable limits. Grief knows what will happen when I have to change the batteries. You may find that if you get your own meter, the readings will be either worrying or perplexing for a while.

 

[takno]

My heart rate was originally measured by the staff in the care home using the home’s meter, but when I was starting to prepare to come home, I bought my own oximeter through Argos. For the first month or two the readings were all over the place, resembling a very bad darts player’s scores more than anything else. Sometimes I had to borrow the home’s machine again, or later the NHS one they were sent because of Covid. My own finally settled down and, although the readings can vary, they do so within acceptable limits. Grief knows what will happen when I have to change the batteries. You may find that if you get your own meter, the readings will be either worrying or perplexing for a while.

I've got a couple of them and they give pretty similar readings. It's useful that the one with the graphs gives PI readings - my circulation has never been fantastic, and if I have cold hands then the PI figure can drop below about 0.5 and the readings get a bit dodgy. Always worth making sure that your hand is warm, and trying it on both hands can be helpful. At the end of the day, if the pulse rate doesn't match the pulse in your neck then oximeter is probably wrong!

 

[PeterY]

I had not given this any thought before but someone at work mentioned resting heart rates the other day and then I read something else about it, so I decided to measure it.

As I type this, feeling very rested, I measured it at only 57bpm.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works/your-heart-rate

So, it's under that, which initially seems worrying, but it sounds like maybe should not be concerned, as...

I am not an athlete but I like to think I am reasonably fit, so presumably a rate of only a little under 60 is not a health risk and is a good sign?

I do sometimes experience dizziness but only when I stand up too quickly (when I can also temporarily go blind for a few seconds) though this does not happen very often, so presumably that is nothing to worry about.

Anyone else measured their heat rate and what were your results?

Has anyone managed to lower your resting heart rate by improving your fitness?

My resting heart rate is 57. Not bad for someone who's in their 60's. I consider myself reasonably fit and do a physical job in the summer. It's not a problem to walk 15 to 20miles and cycle 50+ miles.

I also experience dizziness if I stand up too quickly. I think it's normal. Just change of blood pressure.

Last time I had my blood pressure checked it was 121/81 which is so close to the average. BMI is normal and I've never gone over 10st.

 

[MidlandsChap]

Probably not a cause for concern if you are not feeling dizzy or otherwise unwell. Im generally active and my resting varies between low and high fifites depending on the time of year and therefore time spent outdoors exercising.