What does low pulse rate indicate?
Patient: I am 47 years old I had a Heart attack six months ago (on valentine's day Ironic) I am female,, I had many symptoms beforehand shortness of breath.. Pain in arms etc..etc.. I have 2 stents to R.C.A. m y damage is on bottom and side of heart and my problem is the more active I am the worse I feel.. My pulse skips around and sometimes is in the 30 range even without beta blocker.. They say I am not a canadate for a pacemaker tell my pulse stays in the 30's but I do not feel well! Doctor: Hello and thank you for using HCM.I carefully read your question and I understand your concern.I will try to explain you something and give you my opinion.You should know that low heart rate is not always an indication for pacemaker.You mention that your heart skippes a beat.You should be carefull and not measure the frequency after a prature heart contaction or a skipping beats, becouse in this cases the heart pause its normal.So, it is important to differentiate this thinks, if you have low frequency during uour dayly live and you feel week, or you just measure this episodes after a skipped beat whith pauses.In my opinion, if I was your treating doctor I will recommend a holter rhythm monitoring.if it register frequency to 30 beat for minute during day and you do have symtoms than it might be an indication for pacemaker becouse symptomatic bradycardia fulfills the criteria.Hope Ia was helpfull.Best regards ,Dr.Ervina.