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What Does This Heart Rate Of 56 Indicate?
Question: I am wondering if a resting heart rate of 56 is normal.. I have read that it is normal for athletes, which I used to be in high school, but not anymore, I am 5'11" 305 pounds, I have had an EKG and echocardiogram done last month, but it was actually for the opposite, I was having a really fast heartbeat, they told me it was probably anxiety and gave me a betta blocker to take as a "pill in the pocket" I do not take this medicine unless my heart rate goes very high. I know that for as long as I can remember my heart rate is usually 56-60 upon waking up, but typically it goes up throughout the day, now it is staying around 56-60 for most of the day, (while sitting at my desk) if I move around it goes up substantially. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The EKG showed some rare premature heartbeats, and the echo showed everything normal except some very mild left ventricular hypertrophy.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that values of 56-60bpm are within the normal ranges for heart rate.
So you should not worry about it!
You should know that it is quite normal for the heart rate to raise during physical activity or emotional stress. This is related to the activation of sympathetic nervous system, which causes an overload of chatecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in your blood, leading to increased heart rate and also blood pressure. This is a normal physiological reaction of our body.
This can lead to increased heart rate and even ectopic heart beats, which occur normally in every healthy individual.
Nevertheless, I would like to review your performed cardiac tests if you can upload them for another second professional opinion.
Regarding your increased heart rate (or palpitations), they could be related to overweight. Anyway, if the problem persists, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause:
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your hear rhythm trends during a prolonged time, in order to rule out possible cardiac arrhythmia
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that values of 56-60bpm are within the normal ranges for heart rate.
So you should not worry about it!
You should know that it is quite normal for the heart rate to raise during physical activity or emotional stress. This is related to the activation of sympathetic nervous system, which causes an overload of chatecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in your blood, leading to increased heart rate and also blood pressure. This is a normal physiological reaction of our body.
This can lead to increased heart rate and even ectopic heart beats, which occur normally in every healthy individual.
Nevertheless, I would like to review your performed cardiac tests if you can upload them for another second professional opinion.
Regarding your increased heart rate (or palpitations), they could be related to overweight. Anyway, if the problem persists, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause:
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your hear rhythm trends during a prolonged time, in order to rule out possible cardiac arrhythmia
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply,
I do not have any hard copies of what was done, but I can tell you what was told to me about the tests:
48 Hour monitor, normal sinus rhythm, with some rare premature heart beats, no issues.
Echo cardiogram, Said everything was normal, with some very mild LVH, which was relatively unchanged from previous echo which was done 6 years ago.
I went to the hospital 2 times, both times EKG said Sinus Tachycardia, with rates around 110.
I was laying in bed and I checked my heart rate, and it was around 90, i started to scare myself and it gradually went up to about 125, that is when I decided to rush to the ER, upon admission, my heart rate was 120, then 110 at EKG, and stayed around 103 for the remainder of the time in the ER, I could not get it to go down, the Dr. stated it was anxiety related, and sent me home.
I have had a couple more incidences since then, only once I needed to take a beta blocker, and I had a panic attack about an hour before then, but my question is, why does my heart rate stay elevated for a few hours after a really bad panic attack?
Thanks
I do not have any hard copies of what was done, but I can tell you what was told to me about the tests:
48 Hour monitor, normal sinus rhythm, with some rare premature heart beats, no issues.
Echo cardiogram, Said everything was normal, with some very mild LVH, which was relatively unchanged from previous echo which was done 6 years ago.
I went to the hospital 2 times, both times EKG said Sinus Tachycardia, with rates around 110.
I was laying in bed and I checked my heart rate, and it was around 90, i started to scare myself and it gradually went up to about 125, that is when I decided to rush to the ER, upon admission, my heart rate was 120, then 110 at EKG, and stayed around 103 for the remainder of the time in the ER, I could not get it to go down, the Dr. stated it was anxiety related, and sent me home.
I have had a couple more incidences since then, only once I needed to take a beta blocker, and I had a panic attack about an hour before then, but my question is, why does my heart rate stay elevated for a few hours after a really bad panic attack?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
As your Holter monitoring and cardiac ultrasound (ECHO) do not reveal any clinically significant abnormalities (rare ectopic beats and a mild LVH are not issues to be considered responsible for any significant cardiac disorder), then you should not worry about your heart rate variability.
Your heart rate seems to be always in normal sinus rhythm and that fast heart rate are only an expression of anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
Regarding the persistent heart rate during a bad panic attack, I would explain that it is caused by a persistently elevated level of blood circulating catecholamines which lead to tachycardia, increased blood pressure and increased alertness (in fact panic attacks are exaggerated alertness without a real responsible object of fear).
As far as circulating catecholamines remain at elevated blood levels, its consequent effects (including tachycardia) will persist.
So, you shouldn’t worry about. The problem is anxiety, not the heart.
Once you find the appropriate ways to overcome those unpleasant panic attacks, the fast heart rate will disappear.
I recommend following a physically active daily life style with outdoors activity for relieving anxiety.
Swimming, aerobics and yoga are very helpful in managing anxious persisting thoughts.
If the above are not sufficient, then you need to discuss with a therapist for discussing the opportunity of starting a temporary anxiolytic regimen.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
As your Holter monitoring and cardiac ultrasound (ECHO) do not reveal any clinically significant abnormalities (rare ectopic beats and a mild LVH are not issues to be considered responsible for any significant cardiac disorder), then you should not worry about your heart rate variability.
Your heart rate seems to be always in normal sinus rhythm and that fast heart rate are only an expression of anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
Regarding the persistent heart rate during a bad panic attack, I would explain that it is caused by a persistently elevated level of blood circulating catecholamines which lead to tachycardia, increased blood pressure and increased alertness (in fact panic attacks are exaggerated alertness without a real responsible object of fear).
As far as circulating catecholamines remain at elevated blood levels, its consequent effects (including tachycardia) will persist.
So, you shouldn’t worry about. The problem is anxiety, not the heart.
Once you find the appropriate ways to overcome those unpleasant panic attacks, the fast heart rate will disappear.
I recommend following a physically active daily life style with outdoors activity for relieving anxiety.
Swimming, aerobics and yoga are very helpful in managing anxious persisting thoughts.
If the above are not sufficient, then you need to discuss with a therapist for discussing the opportunity of starting a temporary anxiolytic regimen.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your detailed answer!
I very much appreciate it!
Have a great day!
I very much appreciate it!
Have a great day!
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I remain at your disposal for any further uncertainties.
Feel free to ask me directly at any time!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I remain at your disposal for any further uncertainties.
Feel free to ask me directly at any time!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
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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