Heart Rate

[jordan235]

I am a young active woman, but my average resting heart rate is 33 bpm. Is this too low?

[Pamz]

I would suggest getting it checked out.  It could be just fine so I wouldn't have anxiety attacks about it but it's really low and doesn't hurt to know for sure.  

My resting heart rate was 30 before I had an ICD implanted 3 weeks ago today.  I am 48, physically fit, exercise and jog every day, have no health issues at all (blood tests all perfect) and only have very minor dizzy spells, so minor that they were not even hardly noticable until I actually thought about it.  However, my gp was certain there was a problem because 1 ekg showed Afib and the rest showed severe bradycardia and because of a family history with sudden death.  My gp also was afraid that I may have a stroke at night from it getting too low.  Several cardiologist were certain that my heart was just very efficient and I felt perfectly fine so never worried about it.  Each year though at my physical, my heart rate keeps getting lower and even with activity, it doesn't get very high most of the time.  The last cardiologist, who at first said my heart was fine now but would eventually need a pacemaker because it would just keep getting slower then called a few days later and said after reviewing everything, I needed an ICD right away and quit exerting myself until I had one.  A gene test confirmed that I do have a gene mutation that appears to be causing short qt in both me and my son and he suffered sudden death at 23 years old from it.  My son's heart rate is very low also (without his icd) and we had been told that his heart was excellent and he was extremely physically fit, which he's very athletic and plays all sports well.  But, it turns out our hearts are actually too efficient.

So, I'd check into it.  I hope all goes well for you.

[is_something_wrong]

It's usually too low, but it all depends on your symptoms. If you don't feel dizzy and the heart rate increases properly with exercise, it can be a sign that your heart just pumps extremely efficient. However, your resting heart rate is lower than most top athletes, and you should get it checked. Go to a doctor and get an EKG done.