Low heart rate (driving me nuts) [Archive]

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ethan2003

11-12-22, 19:57

Hi all,

I have made a few posts in the past related to my heart, but as things change, so does my mental state. I'm aware that it's best to consult a doctor (which I will), but short-term reassurance is something I'm seeking.

To provide background context to my life, I'm a 19 year old male who's morbidly obese (23 stone | 322lbs | 144kg) at a height of 6ft 0in. I have in the past suffered with health scares, with heart rates being rapid. I've had numerous ECGs, blood tests, chest x-rays, even a Holter monitor. All of these tests came back normal, yet my pain and suffering continued. I suffer a lot with chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath, cold/blue skin (arms, inner thigh, feet, hands, etc.), constant congested nose, and much more. None of these symptoms have had an official diagnosis, but a couple of potentials have been anxiety, GERD, and the vaccine (only had the first 2). My GP is the one who suggested it was the vaccine, since a lot of info on damage has been coming to light, and would point towards a reason as to why I have had no conclusive result for my suffering. Through inflammation and immune system damage, all of these things could be caused.

Recently I have been hyper focused on my pulse rate and prolonged chest pain. My RHR (resting heart rate) can vary from low 60's to mid 60's, but my pulse (when not checking) is very slow and heavy. When it's low I can feel every pulse beat, and then comes the light-headedness, dizziness, chest pain & even palpitations. All of these things would point to something bad right, and the first response is to say "go get that checked out". In the past year I've had 4-5 blood tests, 3 chest x-rays, 10+ ECGs on the big machines, etc. nothing has ever shown and none of these issues seem to crop up when I'm there - because I'm always anxious.

I've noticed that when I sleep my heart rate is low, 45-55 bpm. And if I stand up or sit down, or move in a certain way, my body does the drop in HR (goes to mid 40s and then straight up to 90-100) and all of that stuff I mentioned earlier comes. From what I've searched, all I can see is low blood pressure when moving? Also known as hypertension.

Edit: I also feel like I have to manually breath the majority of the time

Has anyone got any advice or info they could share on the matter?

Thank you in advance,
Ethan

NoraB

12-12-22, 07:39

Well, I'm definitely seeing some anxiety..

Have you had a tilt test done?

P.S shortness of breath could be down to anxiety or unfitness. (Or both)

ethan2003

12-12-22, 08:09

I haven't had a tilt test, is that something that I should ask my GP for?

Also, thank you for the reply <3

ankietyjoe

12-12-22, 08:56

Your heart rate isn't low, and you've had all the tests to show you there's no problem.

Your heart rate isn't 'driving you nuts', your behaviour/checking is. The rest IS anxiety.

If you have evidence (all the tests) that nothing is wrong, the only thing left to check is you, and how you're behaving. Self confessed constant checking? Why are you checking if nothing is wrong? That in itself is the sole cause of the problem here.

Also, I felt like absolute d0gshit after my vaccine a year ago, and I'm only just starting to (I think) feel back to normal now.

Just get on with your life. Lose some weight and focus on self betterment. You're 19, the easiest possible time in life to lose weight and get fit again. Focus on that.

WorryRaptor

12-12-22, 09:40

What you described could all be down to being unfit. You've had multiple tests as you've mentioned, so it's unlikely to be anything that can't be addressed with lifestyle changes. You're young enough in that you're highly unlikely to have too much wear and tear on your heart, so dropping the weight will make a huge difference.

Your heartrate dropping and shooting up on standing sounds like a circulation issue, along with the limb coldness. This can be caused by long periods of inactivity, as the heart suddenly has to push a bunch of blood to all of your limbs when you start moving around. If you have extra weight, it has to work a lot harder. It's also possible that you're hyperventilating due to anxiety, and this is making you feel short of breath along with the skin colour changes.

Chest pain, dizziness etc can be from anxiety over realising your heart rate is "too low". You've done the right, and sensible thing by getting it checked out, and since they didn't find anything worrisome, that makes anxiety a more likely reason.

What did they test your blood for just out of curiosity?

ethan2003

12-12-22, 11:35

Thank you for you reply.

ethan2003

12-12-22, 11:37

The blood tests were at a hospital that I went to with chest pains. Just a general blood test used to check for troponin levels (damage to the heart), but it shows everything else as well.

ErinKC

12-12-22, 22:41

A lot of this does sound like anxiety - especially because you note that many of the follow up symptoms occur after you note your heart rate. Your heart rate is likely stable through the day but when you check it you panic and then all the anxiety symptoms flood in.

I agree with others that some of this could also be down to your weight. If you are interested in losing weight is there somewhere you can go to see a nutritionist or other expert or therapist who can help you get on a healthy path?

serith

13-12-22, 18:49

Isn't that a normal heart rate? -- actually a very good one, considering how heavy you are.

ankietyjoe

13-12-22, 19:22

Isn't that a normal heart rate? -- actually a very good one, considering how heavy you are.

It is, until you Google.....

Then breathing is fatal.

ethan2003

13-12-22, 20:29

nomorepanic

13-12-22, 20:48

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

Please also read this post:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239

ethan2003

13-12-22, 20:56

Isn't that a normal heart rate? -- actually a very good one, considering how heavy you are.

Well, it can very often dip below 60 (resting). But it's mainly the chest pain and shortness of breath that makes my life difficult

Flapj

13-12-22, 23:54

NoraB

14-12-22, 08:09

It could also be a blood pressure thing. It's usually after I get up or sit down, and then I notice the heart rate.

I'm very interested in losing weight, I don't really have much time or money to facilitate nutritionists and therapists. Not private at least. I could probably get a referral (which means it would be free in the UK) - they take many months to get though.

'Eat less, exercise more'. It should be that simple but it isn't always the case.

I don't have a very healthy relationship with food (2 historic eating disorders, an exercise addiction, and I am generally prone to comfort eating so I have to constantly keep myself in check) so one of the first things I'd be asking is what your eating habits are. Do you comfort eat? Eat out of boredom? Do you understand hunger pain signals? What was your eating pattern as you were growing up? Was it ok to leave food or were you encouraged to eat everything on your plate, and then some. (Some parents/guardians, especially mother figures, equate food with love and children carry this on into adult life). Is it a body image problem? (You don't have to answer any of these, by the way, it's just something for you to think about).

I presume there's no medical reason for your weight (underactive thyroid etc) so we're probably looking at a psychological issue, and this means that you need to work on your thinking as well, rather than just focusing on calories and exercise. (You need to change your relationship with food itself)

Does any of this make sense?

ankietyjoe

14-12-22, 09:04

I'm very interested in losing weight, I don't really have much time or money to facilitate nutritionists and therapists.

Absurd excuse.

Just stop eating crap, eat whole foods and massively reduce carbs. It's impossible not to lose weight in that way and it costs LESS money than you're spending on food now. It IS actually that simple even taking comfort/emotional eating into account. You have to decide if you want to be fat and sick, or slim and healthy.

For the record, losing weight is 80-90% diet. Exercise is a poor method for losing weight, but a great method for overall health and cardiovascular function. Walking is ideal, and also free.

If I can do it in my 50s, so can you.

ethan2003

14-12-22, 13:57

I agree that it is the repeated checking that is making your life hell. Stop checking the devices. Weight loss will address most of your concerns.

You don't need money or an appointment to lose weight. The formula is simple and cheap:

1. Mouth Hole: Less food in
2. Whole Body: More movement

Thank you for the reply. I think it's obvious I have a phycological issue with losing weight as well as keeping myself in check when concerning myself with health problems. It's very easy to not eat food, but it's also just as easy to pick it back up when in a stressful situation. I think we all know it's a vicious circle. The weight's causing me problems, the problems cause stress, the stress causes me to care less about myself and consume whatever comfort I can achieve in that moment of time. I don't believe movement is an issue, I work a manual laborious job (JCB) and I'm constantly running around and pushing/lifting heavy things. It's the food that's my issue, specifically snacks.