[toxteth ogrady]

I've recently visited my doctor due to sporadic irregular heart beats. I've actually felt them for the last couple of years but in the last few months they've become more consistent. I went to appease my wife, who literally dragged me to his office because, well...doctors offices and hospitals just spook me.

My doctor referred me to a specialist and I have since had a stress echo test and holter test which I wore for 24 hrs - the stress echo test came back perfect, so happy 'bout that but I'm still waiting on the holter results. Anyway, what I discovered is that I have a resting heart rate that is far below average and similar to what an olympic athlete would have. They measured 37 in the office and later that evening when I was at home and really relaxed I measured 35.

I know that normally a lower heart rate is a good thing, but I am no olympic athlete so I can't help feeling a little uneasy about this. I consider myself to be in above average shape for a 40 year old, but still, when I go online and look at others resting heart rates, especially other men in my age group, I see a big difference. I'm curious if any of you know your resting heart rate.

[Tyson]

I'm 39 and my resting heart rate is 60 bmp.

[Meicheng]

Did the doc say if you might have atrial fib? There are lots different meds and treatments depending on your situation, but abnormal heartbeat is not that uncommon.

[toxteth ogrady]

What I have (premature beat) is apparently very common. I don't have any symptoms like dizziness, fatigue etc. which is reassuring. I feel great in fact, the best I've felt since being in my late twenties. The doctor and the staff that were present during the stress echo test didn't seem the slightest bit concerned either. it's just when I look at a resting heart rate chart I see numbers like Tyson's (which would be in the excellent column by the way) and my number is literally 'off the charts.'

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/resting-heart-rate-chart.html

[srb]

Well, if the doctors aren't concerned and you have adequate blood flow and blood pressure ......
 
I mean you only have so many heartbeats in a lifetime (MTBF), so maybe it just means you'll live longer, you Zen Master.
 
Steve

[jackman]

70 bpm, just measured. 

Your resting heart rate sounds really low.  If you don't have any health issues, and your doctor isn't concerned I guess you shouldn't be worried (unless you find another doctor and he is concerned).  Can you run without having issues? 

My mother is on medication and has a very low resting HR.  She can't move around too quickly or exert herself without getting dizzy. 

[jqp]

I have a low resting heart rate when I get it checked at the doctor's. Also lower than average blood pressure, lower than average body temp (97.8 or so), and lower than average bad cholesterol. My cholesterol is now obscenely low since I am on Simvastatin, since the doc wants to make sure I have good circulation with my type II diabetes.

[WGH]

Anyway, what I discovered is that I have a resting heart rate that is far below average and similar to what an olympic athlete would have...

I consider myself to be in above average shape for a 40 year old...

I checked my RHR this morning like the web link above suggested:

• After you wake up give sometime to your body to rest for a while.
• Do not suddenly start measuring the RHR after waking up.
• Lie down at least for 15 minutes before measuring the RHR.

My rate was exactly 60. As a point of reference I'm 62 years old, do strenuous workouts twice a week and 6-10 mile mountain hikes on Sundays.

With an RHR of 35 maybe you could be an Olympic athlete, you still have 10 years to train before you can qualify for the Senior Olympics.

Wayne

[nonoise]

My resting heart rate varies from the mid 50s to the low 70s depending on a number of things.
When I was younger, it was in the mid 40s.
I also have a functional heart murmur that only manifests itself under prolonged physical stress or extreme anxiety, which I've haven't experienced in many a decade. What I have experienced and continue to is an irregular heartbeat that can get worse but has been kept under control with a daily intake of magnesium asporotate (400mg= 100% RDA).
I don't know how it works but it does.