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What Causes Low Heart Beat?
Question: My heart beat is down to 48 BPM down from 60RPM this afternoon - 2.45 p.m. Should I be concerned about night time? Could a get a response from a CARDIOLOGIST? I had a quintuplet by-pass on Oct 1, 2014 and have been in good health recovering. Had a head cold over the holidays but that is behind me.
Brief Answer:
If you are asymptomatic follow my advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your heart rate is slightly lower than normal. As a rule heart rate below 60 per minute is considered bradycardia although till 50-55 per minute is well toleratex in most of the patients.
If you experienced fatigue, fainting or lightheaded feeling you should go to the ER. Otherwise you should stay home (if it's well tolerated I.e. asymptomatic) and should follow the following advises:
- lay down on bed.
- drink plenty of water.
- if you are taking the betablockers don't take it and contact your cardiologist to adjust the dose.
- avoid standing up to fast and to quickly.
- monitor your BP and HR.
If the BP and HR are going further down than you should gone immediately to ER.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
If you are asymptomatic follow my advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your heart rate is slightly lower than normal. As a rule heart rate below 60 per minute is considered bradycardia although till 50-55 per minute is well toleratex in most of the patients.
If you experienced fatigue, fainting or lightheaded feeling you should go to the ER. Otherwise you should stay home (if it's well tolerated I.e. asymptomatic) and should follow the following advises:
- lay down on bed.
- drink plenty of water.
- if you are taking the betablockers don't take it and contact your cardiologist to adjust the dose.
- avoid standing up to fast and to quickly.
- monitor your BP and HR.
If the BP and HR are going further down than you should gone immediately to ER.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response.
What causes the bradycardia? Could my taking Tylenol 4 times a day be a factor?
Is there any medicine I can take to increase the heart rate?
XXXX
000-000-0000 (Mobile)
YYYY@YYYY (email)
What causes the bradycardia? Could my taking Tylenol 4 times a day be a factor?
Is there any medicine I can take to increase the heart rate?
XXXX
000-000-0000 (Mobile)
YYYY@YYYY (email)
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
There are many causes of bradycardia but three are the most important in your case:
1. Aging and Ischemic heart disease
2. Use of beta blockers or other anti arrhythmics.
3. Electrolite disbalance.
This is why I recommend to adjust the dose of beta blockers or other anti arrhythmic you are taking and reduce salt and potasium intake.
You shouldn't worry about taking Tylenol it has nothing to do with bradycardia.
My advice to raise HR are:
- Drink café, black tea or energy drink.
- Take electrolyte supplements like multicentrum.
- Increase physical activity.
This measures will help to increase HR.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
There are many causes of bradycardia but three are the most important in your case:
1. Aging and Ischemic heart disease
2. Use of beta blockers or other anti arrhythmics.
3. Electrolite disbalance.
This is why I recommend to adjust the dose of beta blockers or other anti arrhythmic you are taking and reduce salt and potasium intake.
You shouldn't worry about taking Tylenol it has nothing to do with bradycardia.
My advice to raise HR are:
- Drink café, black tea or energy drink.
- Take electrolyte supplements like multicentrum.
- Increase physical activity.
This measures will help to increase HR.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response. That was very assuring but I do have a question.
This morning 8.15 a.m. my heart rate was a healthy 60RPM but in the evening at 9.30 p.m. is was down to 48RPM. What am I doing (or not doing) that brings it down? This is a concern!
I am not taking any beta-blocker. The only pills I take are Rampril, Baby Aspirin, and Crestor - once a day. I don't do a lot of physical activity but at my age (79) that is the norm. I do try and walk a bit everyday and I don't have any fatigue, fainting or lightheaded feeling, thankfully. I will increase my intake of water and see if that helps.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
XXXX
This morning 8.15 a.m. my heart rate was a healthy 60RPM but in the evening at 9.30 p.m. is was down to 48RPM. What am I doing (or not doing) that brings it down? This is a concern!
I am not taking any beta-blocker. The only pills I take are Rampril, Baby Aspirin, and Crestor - once a day. I don't do a lot of physical activity but at my age (79) that is the norm. I do try and walk a bit everyday and I don't have any fatigue, fainting or lightheaded feeling, thankfully. I will increase my intake of water and see if that helps.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
What you are experiencing is common in patients your age post bypass (ischemic heart disease). Their HR may fluctuate fro 50-60 per minutes. As long as you are asymptomatic you shouldn't worry to much and you shouldn't take any medication for that.
I insist to follow my advises about diet and lifestyle.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Following answer to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
What you are experiencing is common in patients your age post bypass (ischemic heart disease). Their HR may fluctuate fro 50-60 per minutes. As long as you are asymptomatic you shouldn't worry to much and you shouldn't take any medication for that.
I insist to follow my advises about diet and lifestyle.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reassuring advice, which I shall follow as under:
Drink plenty of water
Reduce Salt and Potassium (like Bananas)
Drink Café (that is regular - not decaffeinated - coffee with milk)
Continue taking CENTRUM for 50 year old adults
No beta blockers
Avoid standing up too fast or too quickly
Increase physical activity - walking, stretching, climbing stairs etc.,
Not worry about this - so long as I am asymptomatic .
I do appreciate our contact and many thanks again. I trust that I have got it right?
Brief Answer:
Yes, you've got it right.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back again!
Yes, you've got it right. Please follow my advices.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Yes, you've got it right.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back again!
Yes, you've got it right. Please follow my advices.
Wish you health!
Dr.Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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