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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Dangerous To Have A Low Heart Rate?

Is it dangerous to have a low heart rate? I heard that it s normally 60-100 bpm. mine is 42-46. Is this harmful? what should I do about it? I m generally pretty healthy, I m a 20 yr. old female and I don t have any other health concerns right now.
Sun, 20 Dec 2009
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This will help you out: Bradyarrhythmia (Slow Heart Rate) Arrhythmia is a medical term that refers to a heart rate that is outside the normal range. (Normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute.) An arrhythmia that is too slow is called a bradyarrhythmia or bradycardia. Bradycardia means that the heart is beating too slowly (usually less than 60 beats per minute). It is important to realize that for some people with healthy hearts, a rate below 60 beats per minute may be normal. After all, our heart rates may dip below normal range when we sleep, and some athletes experience heart rates below 60 beats per minute when they rest. The two most common causes of bradycardia are diseases of the sinoatrial (SA) node (sick sinus syndrome), which is the heart's natural pacemaker or other problems with the heart's electrical conduction system (heart block). These diseases can cause the heart to beat too slowly all the time or occasionally. In either case, the heart may not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. As the heart rate declines, there is not sufficient blood flow to the brain, causing feelings of light-headedness, and sometimes, fainting. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor. AT MY END ALTHOUGH YOU ARE SYMPTOMLESS, BUT STILL HAVE YOUR CARDIAC STATUS EVALUATED. This will be beneficial for you in the long run.

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Is It Dangerous To Have A Low Heart Rate?

This will help you out: Bradyarrhythmia (Slow Heart Rate) Arrhythmia is a medical term that refers to a heart rate that is outside the normal range. (Normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute.) An arrhythmia that is too slow is called a bradyarrhythmia or bradycardia. Bradycardia means that the heart is beating too slowly (usually less than 60 beats per minute). It is important to realize that for some people with healthy hearts, a rate below 60 beats per minute may be normal. After all, our heart rates may dip below normal range when we sleep, and some athletes experience heart rates below 60 beats per minute when they rest. The two most common causes of bradycardia are diseases of the sinoatrial (SA) node (sick sinus syndrome), which is the heart s natural pacemaker or other problems with the heart s electrical conduction system (heart block). These diseases can cause the heart to beat too slowly all the time or occasionally. In either case, the heart may not pump enough blood to meet the body s needs. As the heart rate declines, there is not sufficient blood flow to the brain, causing feelings of light-headedness, and sometimes, fainting. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor. AT MY END ALTHOUGH YOU ARE SYMPTOMLESS, BUT STILL HAVE YOUR CARDIAC STATUS EVALUATED. This will be beneficial for you in the long run.