Low resting heart rate post WLS

Hey all. Pre op and naturally super heavy my resting heart rate was around 110 bpm. 7 months post op (sleeve) coming up and it's in the early 40's. Today it was 40 - 42 bmp. Last month it was 45 - 48 bpm. Month before that it was 48 - 53 bpm. At the moment I don't have noticeable symptoms. I exercise 5-6 times a week, both cardio (get up and hold 165 - 175 bpm) and resistance training. My pulse seems regular and blood pressure stays around 106/60. the only med. I take is ambien (or similar) each night for insomnia.

I'm just wondering if this has happened to others and if it became a problem as some point?

I know after losing 100+ lbs my heart should have to work a lot less hard, but my resting heart rate seems to continue to drop. My weight loss was never super quick and it's been very slow over the last 2 months. I have been dropping pants sizes with the slow weight loss so all is well in that way.

Any advice or info would be very welcome.

Thanks

Alex

I'm really interested to see what you learn about this subject because I've been experiencing the exact same thing and looking for answers as well.

My heart rate first thing in the morning is around 50-55.  But what concerns me even more is that I have a very hard time getting mine to go beyond 130-135 bpm when I'm doing my workout.  I do a pretty intense aerobic conditioning program on the treadmill 4-5 x's a week (4 miles, 560 calories spent in 1 hour) and even though I feel like I've pushed myself to my extreme limit, I wonder about that since I have such a difficult time getting my HR up to what I do and keeping it there for any length of time - it generally stays around 125 during most of the work out.

I know that this is age related - the older you get the lower your HR, but.....
I have a tendency to believe that the lower the HR, the healthier the heart and the less it has to exert?  I don't know about you, but I'm 53 and I do know that my exerting HR is going to be lower than someone in their 20's and 30's, but is mine too low???

My heart rate is similar to yours when I work out .  I've read that this is actually just a sign that you are in really good shape. Your heart now has great exercise potential : )

Laura

Thanks for the reassurance!  I was a little concerned, but the explanation makes sense.  

I had a resting heart rate in the 60's prior to surgery - after surgery it dropped into the low 30's. I had no symptoms other than a little tiredness but was scared enough to go to the ER. They ran a bunch of tests and couldn't find anything wrong. The ER dr. consulted with a cardiologist and they concluded that it was temporary and would correct on its own. It  did improve on its own but now I am typically in the 40-50 range. Another consult with a cardiologist and he said this is just my new norm and nothing to be concerned about unless it dips back into the 30's or low 40's. He said if I ever do become symptomatic then I should call him asap - he doubts that I will have issues though and commented that its good my heart doesn't have to work so hard anymore.

Like you, I was over 100 resting prior to surgery. I got a little concerned when I dropped in the 40's (and with a holter monitor I found I drop in the low 30's while asleep!)

I saw a cardiologist, just to make sure everything was okay, and she really couldn't give me a cause, but everything seemed okay, and she told me that my heart was probably just happy to have 100lbs less to pump to! It's been several months and I'm still low, but haven't had any problems from it.
Doesn't hurt to get checked out, though!

I'm not really sure what my resting HR is, but at the gym it pretty much stays around 178 during cardio. I know that seems kind of high, but it feels fantastic!

When I was still heavy, I gave blood at a blood drive.  The nurse who was checking people's health before donation was basically just dealing with a series of arms on her desk.  She checked my pulse, which was 62, and said to me "Oh, you must be a runner!"  I looked at her and replied -- "Lady, do I LOOK like a runner??"

Now, my pulse (and BP) have fallen even lower.  When I had my EKG prior to some plastic surgery, when I was working out pretty regularly, the EKG machine diagnosed me with bradycardia -- my pulse rate was 50.  The cardiologist reviewed my history and said that it was just normal for me.

Thanks for the replies all, great stuff. Next time at the doctors I'll has him to check it out. I'm sure I'll end up at a cardiologist for more tests lol. better safe than sorry I guess. I saw a 39 bmp earlier. I really don't like the idea if it much lower.

Thanks again!

Alex

My heart rate has dropped also with a similar blood pressure to yours. When you stand still for a few minutes (like waiting in line at a store) do you feel nausious and dizzy like you're going to pass out?