Hey all,
I'm a 28 year old male, 175 pounds and over the past month have started to always feel tired (but at night I can't sleep), lack of energy, and lack of appetite. I work out 4 days a week doing weight lifting and do maybe 15-20 mins of light cardio a day. I started to wear my Apple Watch and noticed that during the day my hearts BPM vary between 54-60 while sitting down at my desk and while watching movies at night it'll dip to 48-53. The most alarming of this was when I checked my previous weeks sleep pattern, my BPM have dipped to 38 but usually idle around 41-43.
I set up an emergency Cardiologist appointment and the Doctor was an absolute asshole. He did an EKG on me and said my pattern looked good and that because I'm "young" and "in shape" I have nothing to worry about. He was more concerned with getting me out of the office than anything else. I asked him for a heart monitor and for any tests he can give me just to make sure I was okay and he said "I'm your cardiologist, you're fine and you don't need that stuff".
I than scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor who did an extensive blood panel on me and all tests came back with regular results.
Has anyone seen patients like myself with BPM this low and thought they were "normal"?
Should I go see a second cardiologist? I'm literally scared to fall asleep at night not knowing if I'll wake up again.
Hi everyone. Apologies if I get names/terms wrong; I’m new to this and don’t fully understand what’s happening.
I have been experiencing prolonged and persistent elevated heart rate for awhile now, but since October my heart rate shoots up 20-40 bpm whenever I move from sitting to standing. Occasional chest pangs on the left side of my chest are common. Walking heart rate is late 80s to low 100s. Even when laying down my heart rate is around 70 until I’m sleep.
However, two nights ago I suddenly experienced the opposite: a rapid drop in heart rate especially when sitting or laying down. I’m talking mid 50s to mid 60s. I know these are normalish ranges but I have literally not seen my bpm that low since I was an athlete seven years ago. This massive drop coincided with what I now think was a gallbladder attack, sweats, and chest pain. Since then I also have moments where I struggle to breathe and it feels like I have to make myself breathe on purpose, if that makes sense. It’s terrifying.
I am now too afraid to go to sleep because I’m convinced I’m going to pass away in the night, lol.
My question(s): for those with either tachy or brady, what do you do to lower or raise your levels during the day? Most importantly, how do you sleep without feeing like you might slip away? Are there special sleep postures you use? Do you take anything that helps?
I read a comment where someone drinks salty water before bed to elevate blood pressure and heart rate. Does anyone else do this? Is there any thing I should NOT do while I await my cardiology appointment? And is there anything specific I should ask the doctor? Sorry for all the questions. I am very scared lol.
Also, for the curious: I have not been officially diagnosed but I began suddenly experiencing a lot of long hauler symptoms. To everyone who is reading this: I hope you’re doing as well as you can. I wouldn’t wish any of these symptoms on my worst enemy.
I’m a medical SHO. I reviewed a patient on my night shift who had returned to a medical ward earlier in the night, and had been treated for sepsis - they needed blood pressure support in ITU. On discharge from ITU, their systolic BP was around 100, and HR 60-70.
I was called to see them because of low BP, and they were also bradycardic. BP dropped to about 66/40, HR about 45. Started IV fluids, urine output monitoring and ECG showed sinus bradycardia. They were awake and alert, GCS 15. No chest pain or other significant symptoms- they were mostly concerned about all the bruising and skin damage they had sustained on ITU from being stabbed with needles. Discussed with the SpR on call (cardio reg covered the ward) who didn’t seem too worried, advised continuing fluids. They advised to re-discuss with ITU if BP was dropping.
2L later, I was called back because the Bp wasn’t improving, systolic was hovering between 65-75, diastolic 40, and HR around 40. Repeat ECG was still sinus bradycardia. The patient was still awake and alert, and urine output was around 50mI/hr. I called ITU outreach who asked me to call the ITU reg.
The ITU reg was very rude to me over the phone - kept interrupting and asking questions I couldn’t answer (e.g what bed they were in in ITU?), and basically made me feel like an idiot. I didn’t have repeat bloods yet (in retrospect should have tried earlier but my brain - 8hrs into a 3rd night shift without a break - probably wasn’t working too well) and they said to continue fluids and re-discuss once bloods were back.
We tried to get bloods, but after multiple attempts by myself and the med tech (she had known difficult access and her only cannula was in her neck…), the patient declined further interventions, but luckily her BP picked up a bit.
I guess I’m wondering if I was wrong to be contacting ITU at that stage, given the reaction I received on the phone (acknowledging my mistake in not having up to date bloods, with the last set having been done during the day on ITU). Myself and the nurses were the only ones who seemed worried - both registrars didn’t seem to care that much, I guess because she was still awake and passing urine. But what would be the difference between this patient and one who would soon be peri-arrest?
Also, what should my differentials be for hypotension with (sinus) bradycardia in the context of sepsis? I’ve not come across that situation before so would be helpful to know what to consider for next time.
For the last few days my heart rate has been getting lower and lower while sleeping. Last night it was 38 at one point. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm freaked out.
Hi potsies,
I've been on 10mg x3 a day of propranolol for a week now.
Today I've had scary moments of feeling dizzy and getting heart palps and then my watch shows that my HR is between 40-49 during these episodes which last for a couple of minutes.
I'm not used to this sort of slow HR level and I've read online that under 50 is an emergency. Did anyone else experience this to reassure me? Thanks.
Hi there. NICU dad here and could use some advice and stories from other NICU parents. My wife and I had our first boy pre-term at just over 37 weeks. After a day or two in postpartum, he was moved to the NICU as he wasn’t eating well. Long story short, they put him on glucose and CPAP which resolved it well, started eating, etc. He had to then got the light therapy for high Billirubin, and right when we were going to leave he had a Brady. That was 4 days ago.
His Brady’s have been: •Day 1: 3 during sleep •Day 2: None •Day 3: 4 during sleep (2 required a bit of patting to get his HR back up), 2 during eating •Day 4: 1 during sleep (so far…10 hours to go ), 2 during eating
Sleep Brady’s last about 6-8 seconds, and go down to 65 or so HR (1 went to 37).
My wife and I are struggling with the uncertainty of how long he will have to stay under observation. He’s totally fine and healthy except to the occasional Brady (during sleep while getting out of a deep sleep), so we’re starting to lose our minds… the incessant beeping of the monitors in here is like a Pavlovian torture chamber, especially during COVID when grandparents aren’t allowed in!
We are very lucky that he does seem to have any underlying issues (thank God), and hear time and time again that he will grow out of it, our doctors are great, but they won’t give me a straight answer…my questions are:
• What is an appropriate expectation for how long he’ll be in here? Seems like around gestational age is a good guess? •Does the clock for when he can leave restart after each Brady? Seems like yes for Brady’s during sleep, maybe not for a Brady during eating •What is the worst case scenario for how long he’ll stay? Seems like it’s possible that this could last 2-3 months? Is that possible!?! If Brady’s are the only issue, and otherwise perfectly healthy (eating great, 6.5 lbs), would they keep us in here for they long?
Thanks for any help in advance.
I know that athletes often register bradycardia, but idk how to identify if a patient is an athlete or not.
Obviously a college basketball player or football player would be an athlete, but what about a middle aged guy that runs and stays in shape registering bradycardia...
Do I just chalk it up to them being an "athlete"? Or is that just specific to patients that actually train in some type of competitive sport?
My heart rate is typically in the 60-70 range when at rest, of course when I stand up it shoots to anywhere from 130-150. Been diagnosed for about 5 months now and am on some different supplements but no actual medicine.
Sometimes it drops to the low 50s and I get really dizzy, out of it, and sick feeling. Tonight is one of those nights unfortunately. I can literally feel myself getting dizzier when my heart rate drops to 54-55 and I feel like I’ll nod off then it will go back up to 60 and I’ll feel a little better.
Anyone else struggle with this? Anyone have advice? Im trying to work on college work but I can’t even focus because I’m so dizzy.
I’ve been on CPAP for eight weeks. My bradycardia has yet to significantly improve. I get stretches of low/ normal for a handful of hours, but mostly upper 40s and mid 50s heart rate. I do not want a pacemaker. How much longer before I know CPAP treatment won’t really help my bradycardia? I’m running at half speed these days, and afraid of just dropping dead.
I’ve read Ritalin can bump up your heart rate. I’m being treated for hypothyroid, and my endocrinologist guy won’t go more than 75 mcg of levo. Levo and CPAP have helped with other symptoms, but I still have daytime bradycardia! Ideas? I think physicians are overwhelmed at present, plus no one is in charge of my overall treatment. So, I’m 62M, and am worried.
I'm a 24 year old female I and 163 cm tall and 76 kgs so slightly overweight. However I used to eat fast food and energy drinks until about a month ago. I have changed my diet completely yet only do about an hour exercise EACH WEEK. So not alot. My resting hr is 50-55 and my sleeping heart rate goes as low as 43? Is this normal and should I get checked out. I had an ecg which the doctor said was normal but he doesn't know why my heart is slow. He wasn't my usual doctor so king of shrugged it off. I tend to get chest pain however as I said, the ecg was normal and I am not sure if it is due to diet. I get a sore chest and sometimes a lump on my throat but no acid in my mouth. Can someone please explain all this. I am not fit. Why would it be so low.
Has anyone dealt with this? I cant get in to see my GP for two weeks. My HR has always been in the 60 to 70 range before pregnancy. Now I am noticing while resting it sometimes will drop below 50. No crazy symptoms, I just noticed while playing with my watch the other day. Ofcourse googling this is not my friend. I am also not on any medication. When I called the doctor about getting in earlier they just told me if I felt bad to go to the ER or Urgent Care. Most hospitals and urgent cares are severely backed up in our area due to Covid. I am just concerned as I did not experience with my first baby.
Hi all, I've been having brain fog for close to a year now and the common causes I come across don't seem to apply. I read that a pulse below 60 can cause a condition called bradycardia, and that this condition has symptoms such as mental confusion, memory issues and shortness of breath. My resting pulse is 48 and on many days will remain at 50 all day long. Does anyone have this combination of low pulse, brain fog and shortness of breath? Thanks.
Blood tests and vitals fine. Several ECGs fine. Waiting months to be seen by Doctors who might know more about what's happening to me.
Symptoms include: Lightheadedness, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, Raynaud's Syndrome, pain, muscle spasms, tachycardia, bradycardia, flushing, red face/ears, digestion issues.
To put into words how I feel: Like my system is faulty or out of sync. Like my body doesn't react in time with what's happening or acts incorrectly.
Help: I can't find where my symptoms fit and I worry I'll never get a diagnosis or know how to improve how I feel. It's now causing me deep depression. I thought this was POTS because I have the faint feeling and have fainted twice. I ran some tests and yes, my HR went significantly higher when standing (sometimes). But this is where I get lost. Sometimes it will stay high as I continue to walk around. Other times it will drop and feel more like Bradycardia. Both give me headaches and lightheadedness. Sometimes when I'm laying my HR switches between tachycardia and bradycardia. After long walks it's taken my HR hours before returning to a normal level. It's like I slip in and out of arrhythmias. Does this resonate with anyone else? I feel hopeless with it all.
Hi
Since having mild Covid over Christmas, my resting heart-rate has dropped to about 39/40 bpm during the day and, at night, my heart rate dips down to 32/33 bpm.
I'm male, 42 years old and reasonably fit (although by no means an elite athlete). Prior to having Covid, my resting heart rate was low (typically resting around 50 bpm), dropping to about 40-45 at night.
I don't seem to have any significant symptoms apart from waking repeatedly at night. The timings when I wake seem, retrospectively, to correspond each night with my heart-rate being at its lowest.
I've been measuring my heart rate with two devices - a chest strap (Polar H10) and an Apple Watch, which are giving consistent readings.
Otherwise, my only symptoms are - during the day - slight headaches and strange/heavy feelings in my neck and chest. I do have a slightly funny feeling when my heart rate is very low although it's not pain.
I've had an ECG at the hospital, which was, they said, 'pretty normal' although with a low pulse rate (44 bpm). I had a full blood count and thyroid test which were both normal - apart from marginally raised ALT liver enzyme, which my GP thought was likely due to the infection itself.
I'm waiting to have a 24-hour ECG tape and an echo scan.
I'm basically wondering what to do. I've not done any significant exercise since coming down with Covid a month ago - apart from short-ish walks. Would it help to get exercising again? Are there any supplements I could take? Or foods I should eat/avoid?
I had a GP friend speak to a Respiratory Consultant who thought it might be inflammation of the heart tissue (myocarditis) which should resolve naturally as the inflammation subsides. As it's inflammation, would it help to take NSAIDs (i.e. Ibuprofen)?
Would really appreciate any advice!
My resting heart rate is usually mid 50’s as I have “athletes heart”. But since I started showing covid symptoms and getting the positive test my resting has been low 40s even dips into the upper 30s. 90% of the time it happens when I sleep or just laying on the couch. When I do attempt to get my heart rate up I get dizzy/lightheaded. My chest feels like it does right before an asthma attack but one never comes. And my blood oxygen level is fine.
My local doctor won’t see me until after I’m out of quarantine and the ER is 40 min away and couldn’t tell me whether they’d be able to help me or not before I drive down. Any thoughts???
I stared on Metoprolol yesterday and I've noticed my heart rate now stays in the 50s when "resting" I've also seen it go as low as 40 a couple times. Is this normal?
32M, 5ft8, 195lbs, Caucasian, no current medication. Ex Drinker (5 years) ex smoker (8 years) occasional marijuana use (once or twice a month), no heavy drug use ever, mother has thyroid issues and Parkinson’s but otherwise family history is healthy.
So as the post said I am currently worried about my heart and the seriousness of what I’m experiencing. So I guess to start with I had some really unhealthy habits across the course of my 20’s, I smoked about a pack a day for a while and I drank heavily, often getting drunk up to 2-3 nights a week for a bit there too. During this time I got really overweight and was up to 250lbs. So after I hit 30 I was just kind of sick of living that life; I had kids and I was really sad that I was unable to play any sort of sport with them without feeling winded so I quit everything cold turkey, got myself a Fitbit, walked A LOT and dropped 50 lbs.
Flash forward to this year, most winded feeling is gone, overall I’m feeling worlds better however I upgraded to an Apple Watch which has a lot more features than my Fitbit did which includes monitoring heart rate and I’ve noticed while I sleep my heart rate drops into the 30’s… every single night. It normally hovers between 36-50 on a given night (not in REM) but I’ve seen a reading as low as 33 and the occasional 35/34 but my daytime resting heart rate hovers around 60.
I’ve been putting off going to the doctor because of the lack of health insurance (I’m currently finishing up my final year of college and my school doesn’t offer any and my jobs would cost more than I can afford to lose) but I am starting to grow concerned.
So I guess my question would be, how concerning are these numbers? How concerning is bradycardia as a whole? I can’t really tell if I’m feeling any symptoms because I’m usually out cold and I feel fine during the day. Or is this just normal and I’m getting worked up for no reason?
I appreciate any answers here.. TIA
I'm a 24 year old female and I weigh 72 kgs. I'm not fit. I have rsa, however I was wondering if this can also cause bradycardia of 51 bpm. Reason I ask is, is it possible when i breath out since it lowers Mt hr this may be why I have bradycardia ? I had a normal ecg, and was on telemetry and they could sew my heart rate going slow but didn't know whT was wrong. I was a heavy energy drink drinker but have been off them over a month now. Doctor only reason for bradycardia was Mayne my heart getting used to no stimulant (although I still have 2 cups of tea a day, not sure if this makes a difference).
Hey all! I was diagnosed with MPV about three months ago after an echo, stress test, the full work up. Our follow up was a telemed visit (thanks to Covid) so I don’t have a ton of information on exactly how severe it is. I have an in person follow up next week and will get more information after I drill the doctor with questions.
My question to all of you is: Do any of you have almost constant pain in your chest but a regular heart rate? I see that a lot of people deal with tachycardia, where as I actually deal with bradycardia most the time. I have dull pain in my left chest almost constantly with sharper pains accompanied by palpitations ever so often (4-5 per hour.) Almost all day - every day.
Anyone else?!?! The constant pain is so annoying and worrisome.
NOTE: Pain did not start yesterday. It’s been constant for almost 5 months (the reason I ever went into cardiologist.)
My dad 74 has been having heart issues where it was out of sync for the past few years. He was able to get his heart rate back to normal and has walked a mile or more every day since. He’s 74 and all of a sudden he has shortness of breathe again. They went to his doctor and his heart rate was down to 35-45. The doctor schedule an echo for a few weeks out and there was talk of a pacemaker. It sounded like his heart was skipping a beat. Today he went to immediate care and then the ER, because he had fluid in his legs and some weight gain. He’s being now checked into the cardio wing at the hospital. My issue is that my parents have yet to ask, what are the chances that his heart just gives out before something can be done. I understand his time is probably limited at this point but I’m losing my mind not know what could happen or how sudden this might be. If any cardiologist can give me a vague idea of what could happen in the next few days I’d greatly appreciate it.
Okay so my boyfriend is on 110mg and has been since March 2021 but experiences withdrawal symptoms: restless legs, watery eyes, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting in morning and he smokes wax thc which is illegal here in Ga. Anyways dr made him get an EKG before going higher… now it seems like he’s in limbo and in so much pain he’s starting to use fentanyl again which I’m terrified bc we just had a little girl and he stopped a year ago but I popped a test on him that he failed last week for this and it’s the first time he’s reused but feels hopeless bc his heart rate is low resting at 48 beats per min but he’s 25 and works a lot so primary care dr didn’t think it was an issue but the clinic won’t help. Is there any advice to help get his dose where it will hold him so he doesn’t mess up all the stuff he’s done to get this far.
Sitting in bed my heart rate is 38-45 is this normal bpm? I’m relatively healthy 35 ye old male who works out 3 times a week. I feel lightheaded a lot lately and I’m surprised to see my heart rate falls to 38 sometimes when I’m sleeping.. but now I’m awake and it’s so low… Bradycardia or just I’m fit? I’m not that fit I thought. Thanks. Ps my blood pressure taken many times it’s always perfect
34f Caucasian BMI 28.1 Hypertension Nifedipine
Been on these pills for about 6 weeks. Dizzy upon standing all the time plus exhausted and have occasional palpitations. Realized my Apple Watch has been monitoring my heart rate all these years (never really leveraged this feature) when it started waking me up at night for having a heart rate in the high 30s for over 10 minutes. So I started paying attention to my bpm, sometimes it’s good, sometimes I’m 43bpm sitting at work. The directions that came with the pills say these are all side effects, but does this aggregate of issues call for me to head back in to be seen?
My usual RHR is around 45-46bpm and weirdly this hasn’t changed since I started taking propanalol (just 20mg daily). The propanalol massively helped reduce my pre-syncapal episodes and migraines (wooooo!) and recently I’ve been feeling pretty pretty darn healthy, so decided to try getting back into exercise.
I started a Couch to 10k programme and have since managed to up my VO2 max by about 0.5 points, back to what apple says is above average. The HUGE annoyance is, this has been accompanied by a drop in RHR down to 40-42bpm and headaches/pre-syncopal episodes. I’m literally only doing 30 minutes of walk/run 3x a week but it’s messed me up!
Does anyone else react like this?! Are we allowed to be physically fit AND feel well?!?!
Im on day 14. Ive noticed my HR is in the low 60s and will go down to 53 in bed. I think it might be lower when sleeping but haven’t monitored it.
Wondering if anyone has experienced this as well. I am not an athlete at all, my HR has always been on the faster side of normal, now its lower than all the athletic people i know.
Going to see a cardiologist but wanted to see if anyone got this and recovered.
I keep reading about CPAP helping with nocturnal bradycardia, but what about daytime? I have it, and I’m hoping the CPAP will help.
21M, No existing conditions, No current medications
