Good afternoon everyone,

I have a question about slow heart rate. Why would the heart not race/speed up appropriately when faced with say pain or physical exertion?

Maybe this is too general? I am noticing lately my husbands heart rate doesnt really go up as it should/ used to. Yesterday he was busy outside, lifted a few heavy things etc, I noticed he was very winded ( i would have been too) sweaty, red in the face. However his heart rate stayed slow, doesnt speed up.

Just a few minutes ago he cracked a tooth on a piece of candy :rolleyes: , in anticipation of the pain he surely thought was coming, he started sweating profusely and was clearly agitated. Not unusual at all except I immediately checked his pulse and it was around 54 as usual. I guess what I'm getting at is it seems to me his heart should be thumping more quickly. And in fact, at times, his perception is that his heart is pounding when in reality it isnt beating fast at all. Thumping yes, but not quickly.

And no, we're not talking about an athlete's heart here!

So, any thoughts on this? Am I making too much of this? He, of course, thinks its wonderful his heart rate is so low. But I cant help think WHY doesnt it speed up like mine would?

As usual, am grateful for any thoughts!

Dawn

I would like an answer to this as well. My son is 20 and everytime we go to the doctor they mention that his heart rate is low. He got sick at his stomach once while at school, and the nurse called an ambulance because of his low heart rate. Getting to the ER the doc told us he needed to eat better. He is very thin,not athelic either. Just more a computer nerd. He was also born with a hole his heart and we see a cardilogist every 5 years. He went only last year and the doctor didnt even mention that his heart rate was low. How low is too low? Can some people just have it low and its normal for them? My own runs in the mid to upper 60's and I think his is running in the mid to upper 50's. I too wonder if this is something that we need be concerned about.
Mileena

The danger of a low heart rate are blood clots causing a stroke, ischemia of the heart and kidneys. Causes can be medication, thyroid disorder, heredity, etc.

A heart rate in the 50s for a non-athlete is pretty low. Your husband should be checked by a doctor.