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Bradycardia

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Posted 5/11/2008 10:38 AM (GMT -7)
 

I was diagnosed with bradycardia about 2 or 3 months ago.  I showed a heartbeat of 46 to 54 heartbeats per minute.  I had a heart ultrasound with a stress test and found that all chambers are normal with no heart enlargement.

I have been told that I'm normal but I can't get past that my heart is beating slower than normal.  I do run 30 minutes a day 4 days a week.  I'm 30 pounds overweight.  I'm 39 years old.  I have mild/moderate sleep apnea  Should I just get past this and move on or do I ask for more tests? 

I'll tell you that I feel mostly normal, one or two bouts of shortness of breath from time to time but nothing major.  

Any feedback would be great. 

Posted 5/13/2008 1:23 AM (GMT -7)
Hi RC-
I am from the Lupus board, and a nursing student. I just popped in here to be nosy. Anyhow, I also work on a cardiac unit and read the telemetry monitors. Being that you sound fairly active, and your stress echo was good I would not worry. That test measures if there are any blockages. If they said all is well, it must be. It is normal for someone who is active and gets cardio exercise to have low heartrates. I have taken care of patients who run a few miles a day, and thier heart rates run in the low 30's. So in this case low HR is good, it means your heart is strong. It is a muscle, and since you exercise it frequently it does not have to work as hard to do normal activity. As for the shortness of breath, as long as it is only when you are really exerting your self it sounds fine.
However, I would follow up with the sleep apnea. Did you have a sleep study? If you dont want to wear a breathing machine, or depending how mild your apnea is; you can get fitted for a mouth piece to stop the apnea. Losing weight can often make the apnea go away. I am not sure if 30 lbs is that big of a difference. I guess it depends on where you carry your lbs. (like is it only in your torso to affect your breathing). Good luck!
Posted 5/14/2008 4:23 PM (GMT -7)

Most people who exercise or who are in really good shape do often tend to have lower heart rates.  However, this should not be confused with Bradycardia.  This is an actual diagnosis and can greatly effect some peoples lives.

Three years ago, my mom found me passed out on my living room floor.  She was stopping by to pick up something and ended up calling an ambulance as she couldnt wake me (she is a nurse).  At the ER my heart rate was in the 20's and my blood pressure was averaging 50/30.  After two weeks in the hospital and tons of tests my cardiologist told me that I would need a pacemaker.  I was shocked, I was only 31 at the time, in shape, it just didnt didnt happen to younger people like me I thought.  I had been feeling really tired and sluggish most of the summer.  It wasnt something I could put my finger on and say "this is what I feel" or "this hurts".  My PCP spent 2 months doing tests and running labs trying to find out what was wrong with me.

I was diagnosed in early 2006 with a neurological disorder that is the cause of my heart not functioning properly and also my blood pressure being so low.  So, yeah the structure of my heart is just fine but the wiring is not.

My suggestion to you RC39 would be to pose these questions to your physician and then follow their guidelines.

Posted 5/15/2008 3:57 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Selmer, I am very much aware that 20 bpm and 50 bpm are different.  My point was that bradycardia in whatever form or fashion it comes in is slow heart rate and is a actual diagnosis not something "almost meaningless".

I am not too sure what you consider regular old fashioned heart & cardiovascular disease connected by diet in part.  I know your diet can help aid and maintaining heart health.  I do know that genetics play a huge factor in heart disease.  I am not so sure anyone has developed heart disease due to bad diet, I could be wrong here (IDK). 

On the diet issue my cardiologist recommended to me what he thought was best, set me up with a dietician to consult on it.  I have followed it ever since so I havent questioned it.  Well, except for the snickers I get once in a while at work. 

You are a huge help here Selmer and your knowledge is greatly appreciated, I just wanted you to know that I have appreciated all your help.  Really if you want to put up a thread on better diet habits or good diet habits or whatever go ahead.   

Posted 5/25/2008 9:57 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for the responses.  I do have mild/moderate sleep apnea.  I appreciate everyones comments.  I'm much more calm now.

Posted 6/9/2008 1:15 PM (GMT -7)

Hi RC, I had a 48hr ECG/holter, they found that my pulse was around 40-45 and 30 at night.I am 57 and  used to run 5- 10 miles a day 20 years ago. The doctor said that he would be worried if his heart rate was as low as mine but as I have been athletic and always had a slow pulse he is not worried. What I can't understand is , surely my hearty dosen't stay healthy due to doing  the running 20 years ago. My pulse has got slower over the last six months since having a irregular heart beat.

Your pulse probably is healthy at 45-55 as you are doing a lot of exercise.

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