Bradycardia

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!

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Dx: UCTD,Raynaud's,iron deficientcy anemia,proteinuria

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.   

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Elisha
Co~Mod: Depression
Moderator: Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
https://www.healingwell.com/donate

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.