Do Excessive Physical Exercises Cause Low Heart Rate?

Posted on Wed, 9 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Aug 2017 Answered on

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : In January I weighed about 303 lbs. I'm 6'1" and while I was certainly out of shape, my health was reasonable. Cholesterol blood work and heart had all been checked and considered normal all though my blood pressure was high. Since Feb I have changed my life habits and have been exercising through cardio and weight lifting 4 to 5 times a week. I now weight 249 lbs and am still losing. I am concerned about my heart rate however. I have noticed my resting heart rate is between 43 and 46 bpm. I get it up to 150 when working out and I know my previous resting heart rate was in the high 80s even 90. Is my low heart rate something to be worried about?

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Prolonged exercise leads to low heart rate

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
If we exercise for long periods than ours heart adjust accordingly & achieves a stage of low metabolism through low heart rate.
So it's good to have low heart rate as it increases the efficiency of heart. Still I will recommend you to get a ECG done to rule out any abnormality.
Thanks & take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj