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Does A Low Heart-rate Of Fifty Beats Per Minute Require Medical Examination?
Question: I used an overnight recording pulse oximeter last night and see that my heartrate dropped as low as 50 beats per minute for a long period of time. isn't it not supposed to go below 60? should I have anything checked out at the doctors? Also, it looks like my oxygen level dropped in the night too for a period. Please advise. I attached the reports for you to review.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and reviewed your uploaded images and would explain that it is quite normal for the heart rate to drop during the night.
This is related to the predominance of the parasympathetic nervous system during the night, while the body is in total relax.
So, I don't think that these heart rate values are concerning for any cardiac disorders.
Regarding the drop in blood oxygen levels, I would explain that this could be indicative of sleep apnea.
Are you overweight?
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for possible sleep apnea:
- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests
- a nocturnal polysomnography
- arterial blood gas analysis
- complete blood count for anemia.
If all these tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and reviewed your uploaded images and would explain that it is quite normal for the heart rate to drop during the night.
This is related to the predominance of the parasympathetic nervous system during the night, while the body is in total relax.
So, I don't think that these heart rate values are concerning for any cardiac disorders.
Regarding the drop in blood oxygen levels, I would explain that this could be indicative of sleep apnea.
Are you overweight?
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for possible sleep apnea:
- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests
- a nocturnal polysomnography
- arterial blood gas analysis
- complete blood count for anemia.
If all these tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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