Pulse Rate

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:31 am

Anyone have a problem with your pulse rate falling off when you are asleep? Just discovered my pulse rate is dropping at night. Running from 62 to 35 with the average around 42 bpm.

Anyone know of anything that can cause this other than the need for a pace maker. My cardilogist made a passing comment about this a year ago but thought that cpap was controling it. Apparently not.

Jerry

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:43 am

Am I missing something? Isn't your pulse rate SUPPOSED to fall off as you sleep? Likewise your breathing slows, your entire metabolic rate slows, etc.

Or are you saying this is so dramatic as to be possibly life threatening?

Cheers,
B.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:01 am

Yeah, it's called bradycardia. Around 40 bpm is considered the limit below which it becomes a concern. My N-395 oximeter alarms whenever my rate goes below 40 bpm, at least that was the default rate.

Sometimes physicians even consider it "healthy" to have a low heart rate. (Athletes often do!) Basically, there's no "conventional" medical solution specifically for the problem other than the pacemaker, at least not that I found. There are some unconventional approaches though. Anything which increases metabolism will raise the heart rate, whether from conventional medicine (e.g., thyroid hormone), or unconventional (e.g., ginseng).

Consistent exercise and diet can help as well. Just not too much your physician can pull from his standard bag of magic tricks.

Regards,
Bill

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:24 pm

At my age I am definately not an athlete so I guess I can't use that as a excuse. I know the last time I was in the hospital and it went down below 40 the alarm went off and the nurse came running and woke me up. Anyone know if blood pressure meds can have any effect on the pulse rate? My doc has been concerned that my top number is a bit to high so he has been changing my BP meds. Last time he checked it he said the top number was still a bit high but the at rest number was around 40 and he said it was bad to let it go any lower.

"Severe bradycardia (fewer than 30 beats per minute) can be an emergency situation, leading to brain oxygen deprivation and convulsions. Death may result unless immediate medical measures are taken to increase the heart rate."

Guess I will have to put this at the top of my discussion list when I go to see him in about 3 weeks. Make him earn his offive visit fee!

Jerry

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:27 pm

That's the attitude, Jerry. Make him earn it!!!! I hope you get your money's worth!!!

CUatX · Post by **CUatX** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:57 pm

Anyone know if blood pressure meds can have any effect on the pulse rate?

Ah-yup! Sure can! Check the poop sheets they (should) provide with your meds. Alpha/Beta-Blockers carry warning to this effect.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:30 pm

Yes, your BP med can do that.
Did you have this problem before you were put on BP meds?
When our heart rates drop, in a healthy heart, the stroke volume increases to make up for the lower heart rate, so that your cardiac output remains the same. Beta blockers can definitely slow your heart down. Plus, they can do that without necessarily lowering your blood pressure too.
My BP is always up at the doctor's office, but normal at home.........so be sure your's isn't just up at the doc's office.
You might need a different type of BP lowering drug.
As was said, hypothyroidism can also cause a slow heart rate. Good luck to you.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:35 pm

Yes blood pressure meds can slow down the heart. They are trying to slow mine down, but without much success, 85-92 BPM at rest. Jim

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:45 pm

I really don't know if it was a problem before BP drugs. I have been on them for too long but he recentally changed them and uped the dosage so just wondered. I may do a search and see what kind he has me on. I don't know if they are Beta blockers or not. According to the Mayo Clinic web site if it is really Bradycadia the only real fix is a pacemaker. I am not sure I am looking forward to that fix.

Jim, I seem to remember you were on a pacemaker or am I remembering wrong. Can't they control your rate with that?

Jerry

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:27 pm

No pacemaker, a defib unit Metronics Complete with installed Defective lead wires. It's not killed me yet, still waiting. Jim

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:37 am

OK, the defective wire thing is what I remembered so I jumped to the conclusion. I have a friend and his pacemaker and defib unit are all in one. I did not realise they were made seperate.

Jerry

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:32 pm

They talked me into it, really against my will. They were afraid due to damage it would quit suddenly, if it does it's job you might get a 30% of making it to the hospital. During testing of it when they put it in, they told me it would hurt, (they were going to force it to jumpstart me). I felt nothing and the Doctor got a weird look on his face, after seeing the results on his laptop. Hesaid it was working as planned not to worry. I am sure it didn't fire at all. Probably be better for me if it doesn't.(It hits you with 750 Volts, ten times what the external paddles do).

They say it's more dangerious to remove the bad wires than to leave them, as if I would believe anything they say anymore! Sometime having insurance isn't in your best interest. Jim

paloa · Post by **paloa** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:45 am

In my latest sleep test my min heart rate was 34.

Based on my pulseox showing similar low numbers I saw my cardiologist. After a series of tests he decided that I just had a normally low pulse rate. He indicated he would have been concerned with the low pulse rate only if it was combined with other symptoms. (e.g. diziness, shortness of breath)

I continue to monitor and will alert my doctors if I notice a change.

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