Low Heart Rate
The last few months l have been lightheaded and dizzy. My heart rate has been in the 60 bpm range but when I'm sitting for a period of time in drops in the mid to low 50 bpm. It drops to the mid to low 40 bpm when I'm sleeping. I'm concerned because it has never done this before. Is this something serious. Should I be concerned that something could be wrong me.
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Do you have a previous cardiac history or is this something completely new?
Many people with various heart conditions experience bradycardia. Mine also can drop very low when sedentary or sleeping. You don’t need your heart pumping hard when you’re resting or sleeping so it may be ok. My cardiologist was never overly concerned as I didn’t faint and or have any real symptoms. It was only that my watch would alert me if it dropped under 55 for more than 10 minutes.
I’m having said all that, it’s always best to get new symptoms looked at, especially if you’re experiencing dizziness or anything similar.
I was put on beta blocker about 15 years ago mostly for having heart papations. I never had a low heart rate that l was aware of since being on it. But l'm really not that concerned with my heart rate but I'm little worried about the lightheadedness and dizzy. I didn't know if it could be something serious. I have not fell down of fainted. I will contact my to doctor and get it checked out. I guess I'll be okay until I can see him. Any opinions if this is serious.
forensicfairy, thank you for your reply.
Thank you for responding.
I couldn’t say if it was serious or not. That’s a question for your doctor, but I can tell you it’s very common and mostly always not serious at all. It depends on why it’s occurring and anything else that may be happening. Do you see a cardiologist regularly?
Up until 3 years ago l had never been referred to a cardiologist for any reason. In 2023 my palpations were getting worse but lt wasn't causing me to be lightheaded or dizzy.
My GP sent me to a cardiologist. At that time l had echo stress test and holter monitor. The cardiologist said everything looked good but he said l was having PVC's but stated unless they got worse nothing to worry about. He did another echo in 2024. He said everything looked good. My heart rate could have been low for years but l never felt different. It's just now l'm just feeling lightheaded. My blood pressure is relatively normal and since l have been feeling this way l started checking my oxygen
level with my oximeter. It has always been 95 or higher if the device is accurate. Like I said before l have not fainted or fell down from the lightheadedness. But I'm trying to get into see the cardiologist but it takes a little while to get an appointment. I talked to a nurse and all she says is they will try to get me in as soon as they can but she advised if l keep feeling this way to go to the ER. That's kinda disconcerting. I really don't want to have to do ER but I am concerned.
Thank you for your reply.