This thread is for the benefit of my wife, who is convinced I have an abnormality.
That may be true
I am 52, currently run 30 - 40 miles a week, slightly overweight but otherwise in good shape. My resting heart rate has been as low as 36. I was waiting in pre op for a procedure on my eye and was about to have a general anaesthetic. My BP was taken. In my pre running days, my BP was high, bordering on having to have medication. So I naturally look the other way and think calming thoughts when the cuff is put on my arm. The nurse called for the doc in a slightly alarmed tone. It was the resting heart rate causing concern. I explained that I did 'a bit of running' and they accepted that as an explanation but said they didnt like it below 40 for general anaesthetic.
Anyway, recently my wife has been saying that my breathing when I'm asleep is so shallow that its almost imperceptible. She sometimes nudges me to see if I'm still alive. She even reckons that I don't even respond when nudged. She really believes I won't wake up one day (which is inevitable one day I guess )
Can anyone give me some reassurance and medical info that will help? I am getting grief every time I go out for a run at the moment. (just did a 17 miler and didnt have my phone on me - not impressed)
Many Thanks
James
Comments
See your gp
I see what you are saying, but I don't wake up gasping for air. I don't stop breathing, in fact I sleep quite peacefully, It's just my wife thinks my breathing is very slow and shallow.
Is your wife the beneficiary of your life insurance ?
thats what I keep telling her....
I know people with a rHR in the 30's. They are very fit... something the medical profession is not used to. (I am a nurse). My ex's rHR is about 38 and his breathing at night was always very shallow and almost unnoticeable. If you have a low HR you likely have a low respiratory rate too.... to be honest it doesn't sound conspicuous to me. You could also have a genuine sinus bradycardia (low heart rate) which is just you. It just means your body isn't having to work as hard to achieve the same result - ie normal daily functioning...
Thank you. That is most helpful.
Obviously if you have any other symptoms at all I would get checked out but generally I would be more concerned about a very high resting heart rate and/or high respiratory rate....
If you are constantly doing long runs your body will adapt ,mine resting hr was as low as 42 around 2 years ago but I was probably doing closer to 70 miles/week when training dropped of due to injury it went back up over 50 again in a few months.
as with anything medical ask the doc if in doubt ,36 bpm sounds low given your age but we are all different.