The lower your resting heart rate, the better. True? Why?
In: Biology
There’s a difference between a heart that beats slowly because it doesn’t have to beat any faster and a heart that can’t beat any faster.
I was very active when I was younger and ran long distance a lot. I used to think it was weird when I’d go to the gym and while using the heart rate meters on the treadmill, my heart rate decreased once I hit a semi-sprint speed. It’s indeed a marker of cardiovascular health.
It is true only IF you’re a very active person physically. For regular folks who are below the global norm you may need a doctor to check you out.
My watch complains periodically about low HR,.some times as low as 28, usually around 35-40, I once (in class) managed to get it down to 24 but I did feel awfully tired that day. No issues beyond that.
It’s not a health issue though guys, I am just on super power saving mode.
A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute [1].
A grizzly bear hibernates five to six months of the year. During that time, its heart rate slows drastically from around 84 beats per minute when active to around 19 [2].
Therapeutic hypothermia could save lives, propel interstellar travel, and expand consciousness [3].
[1] [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979)
[2] [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207142625.htm](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207142625.htm)
[3] [https://aeon.co/essays/how-freezing-patients-could-save-lives-and-even-reverse-death](https://aeon.co/essays/how-freezing-patients-could-save-lives-and-even-reverse-death)
The heart only has so many beats. Not good to waste them when resting. Now go brush your teeth.
Doctor here. Untrue.
Lower resting heart rate while physically active without underlying heart conditions can be a sign of good cardiovascular health, but not always. Anything outside of this narrow specific definition makes the statement untrue.
If you aren’t physically active or if you have underlying heart conditions, a lower heart rate could be bad.
Also, if you’re physically active and don’t have underlying heart conditions, not having a lower heart rate doesn’t mean you don’t have good cardiovascular health.
Not necessarily. Some people have a naturally lower heart rate for one reason or another. Athletes can have lower resting heart rates because their heart is more efficient in pumping blood, so it doesn’t have to beat as much. This isn’t necessarily an indicator of anything though. My coach’s resting heart rate is in the high 60’s mine is in the mid 40’s, but she sure as hell is more fit than I am.
Not true. My resting hearth rate and pressure is so low i keep fainting if i stand up top fast. Have to ‘activate’ my body before or the blond rushed from my head and I pass out.
Im so healthy its unhealthy… or at least inconviniented
Think of it like carrying groceries in from the car.
If you can do it in 1 trip, you’re probably healthy. If it takes 2 or 3 trips, probably still fine, but maybe worth keeping an eye on your health.
If you’re carrying in 1 bag at a time and it takes a dozen trips to unload the car… you definitely need to be careful with your health.
Same amount of total work being done either way, but being unhealthy just means that it requires much more effort.
Same thing with your heart. It’s going to accomplish the same amount of work either way: push your blood to your lungs, out to your organs, and back to your lungs. If it takes 50 beats per minute to accomplish that, it’s an indicator of efficiency and health. If it takes 120 beats per minute to accomplish that same task … well..
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