Slow heart rate and tired

4 Comments

Submitted by Dr T on April 13, 2013 – 9:12am

Question: 
My heart rate is usually in the 50s, regularly dropping into the 40s. I can usually tell when it does because I feel very tired and headachy. Had a treadmill/echo today and doc said EKG looked “great” and tech said same of echo. While on treadmill, I noticed on the monitor, my heart rate drop 3 times. Is that unusual? Would you recommend an electrophysiologist?
 

Unless you are an athlete (who sometimes have slow heart rates), your slow heart rate and (possibly consequent) symptoms are abnormal, nor can your EKG look “great”.

If your heart beats too slowly, your brain and body might not get enough blood to function well, leading to any or all of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
  • Shortness of breath

Thus, either your heart rate is faster than you measured at home, or your EKG was misinterpreted (unlikely), and your bradycardia needs to be confirmed or denied by your doctor! There is no need to see an electrophysiologist, just someone to interprate your symptoms and findings correctly.

Hope this helps,

Comments 4

  1. Post
    Author

    Hi I have a question I’ve had spells where I get tunnel vision mostly in left eye heart rate in the low 60 then back to 70 to 80 very fatigued feeling all the time no mater how much I sleep tested negative for covid 3 times I do have a history of high cholesterol currently on no meds and right side sore all the time with bouts of diarrhea sometimes

  2. Post
    Author

    the symptoms describe my situation almost exactly. The only information I would like to add is I normally do a 14hrs. fast from the time eat until the next day and generally won’t eat until around 12 the next day.
    I have done this for years however and do not think this is the problem but needed to make sure you had as much information as possible

    1. Post
      Author

      I have a low heart rate generally, 50 beats/min, and when I am relaxed 44-47 and during those times I am very tired and feel like I cannot make quick decisions.
      I am active and exercise daily with running, walking and some weight exercises.

      1. Post
        Author

        I have almost exactly same symptoms. Had stress test, ekg , and ultrasound. All came out good. I am 62 years old and have exercised aerobically almost every day for 30+ years. Cardiologist attributed low heart rate to years of working out.

        Anyone else have any answers?

        Thanks

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