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Is there anything wrong with having a low pulse rate?

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
I've always had doctors say "wow, you've got a really low pulse rate" but they've never said it was bad. I was taking my BP earlier today (130/71), and I noticed my pulse rate was 51. How much would this affect my metabolism?
 

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
8,443
124
106
I heard that professional athletics have lower pulse rates compared to the normal population because their heart pumps more blood per beat.
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
0
0
I have a really low pulse also - used to be in the 40s but I'm a bit out of shape now so more like mid 50s
Nobody has ever said anything to me - except for an Air Force nurse that kind of freaked out and asked me if I felt OK, needed to lie down, etc. I can control my pulse at rest +- about 6 BPM, and it was probably in the low 40's when she checked.
 

Lorax

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2000
1,658
0
0
i think it's fine, and in fact good for you. John Stockton, formally of the NBA, had a low resting heart rate too. You should ask your doctor what that means.

(but that's just random trivia)
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Adam8281
Are you a weak, bird-chested man?

I wear a 17 1/2 shirt, so no. I'm certainly not an athlete either.

If you were though, it would possibly be Marfan's Syndrome, but since you aren't bird-chested, it probably isn't.

It is normal for people who have healthy hearts.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
I always equated low pulse w/ a strong heart. Less bpm=stronger heart able to push more blood. One guy i know has that low of a heart rate cause he ran cross country and stuff in high school and is crazy fast.
 

iwantanewcomputer

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2004
5,045
0
0
it's a combo of your heart pumping more blood per beat and muscles needing less cause they wor more efficiently, both come from being in good cardiovascular shape
 

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,664
28
91
my "normal" pulse rate, in my current
fat shape, is around 65-72.

I went to the Dr Monday, feeling ill,
pulse rate resting was 110. :(

Not good to be that high when sitting for 3 mons.
 

Codewiz

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2002
5,758
0
76
If you are in good shape then it is a good thing. When I ran cross country in high school, my pulse was around 45 beats/minute. It is now up to 70 b/m since I am totally out of shape.
 

cerebusPu

Diamond Member
May 27, 2000
4,008
0
0
my resting was like 80bpm after xmas. that freaked me out so i worked out for 3 months and now its dropped to 60~70bpm and its alot harder for me to hit my target heart rate.
 

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2001
4,508
0
76
Low pulse isn't a big deal. Some people naturally have lower rates than others. Physical fitness is a big factor in your pulse, even though some people who are extremely fit still have higher beats per minute.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
I have a weird heart...my resting pulse rate isn't that low at 66, but it's really WEAK...it's kind of tricky for me to find a pulse in my neck. When I exercise, it gets a lot stronger, but really doesn't speed up that much...only to about 100 or so.

I'm in pretty decent shape, too...go figure.
 

Shiizu

Member
Feb 17, 2006
141
0
0
Your HR is not really that low, so I would not worry about it (even if you are not an athlete).
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Lower the better but not always an indicator.

Lower = heart is stronger = pump more per heart beat

Lower = more capacity to 'work'

Max heart rate is:

220 - age

Mum has a 41-44 resting heart rate. She does 45 laps 3x a week but she has that low pulse rate before.

Taller people have higher pulses naturally.

Count yourself lucky!

Koing