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How Much Should A Heart-rate Fluctuate?

Posted on Thu, 10 Apr 2014

Question: How much should a heart-rate fluctuate? Generally if I am standing and walking around it is 72BPM. However last night I took my blood pressure and noticed my heart-rate was down to 56 BPM. BP was elevated (145/80) but I had eaten a lot of salty foods that day and probably didn't have enough water. It increased appropriately when walking around. I have asked my doctor about this and she just said that it can fluctuate and that is nothing to worry about. I am thinking that I might start to have episodes of bradycardia. I woke up this morning and took it again and it was 61 BPM and BP was perfect at 116/75. Now I just got back from the gym and my BP is 125/78 and HR is 74. I'm in moderate shape...not amazing, I do 25 minutes on the exercise bike every morning for about 7.5KM and take my heart to around 165 BPM during this.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Heart Rate can vary Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Hi , I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern. Heart Rate increases during activity. And slows down during sleeping or at rest. The variation is there during all kind of activities. To add to your surprize there is variation even during normal breathing during inspiration and expiration. But heart rate at rest should not go <60 beats per minute. I need following details: 1. Have you measured the pulse rate manually or you are mentioning the readings on electronic BP Machine that also mentions your heart rate. 2. Any symptoms like lightheadedness, sweating, syncope? 3. What problem made you check your blood pressure and heart rate? Give me these details to help you better. Stay Healthy. Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 minute later)

Thanks - I had no symptoms I just checked my BP because I check it once a week or so because I'm a bit of a hypochondriac. The pulse was recorded by a Blood Pressure machine, so about a 5-6 second reading I suppose. At the time, no symptoms. Have been getting a bit light headed if I stand up to fast at times. No syncope and no sweating. No problems breathing etc.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer: I don't think it is any problem Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Welcome again. I must tell you that many a times the heart rate measured by the machine is not accurate. So, we never rely on them. I don't find any reason for you to be worried. Still, if have doubts, you can get an ECG done. Alternatively, you may check your pulse manually for 60 seconds. I don't think you have any problem based on available details. If you have any further query, please ask me, else you may please close the discussion and rate it! Stay Healthy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (0 minute later)

Hi - Yes, when I do check my pulse for a full 60-seconds it is usually around 60 or so. As soon as I stood up it raised to 72, which to me is a good thing because it means that the heart is adjusting to increased demands. I tried to exercise last night and my heart-rate did climb but then I freaked myself out and started having a panic attack because I thought it wasn't climbing off again. This morning, I woke up at my pulse was 60 BPM...so I was relieved to see it was still quite low, meaning this is more of a normal thing. I went at did 25-mins on the bike and then ran for 10 min and my heart-rate was up to 170 no problem. Out of curiosity why is a machine inaccurate? Is this because the heart rate may slow down during exhalation during the recording which would give an inaccurate result?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Detail Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend Everything that you are experiencing is absolutely normal. Still, you may get an ECG, if you are worried. The self blood pressure monitoring machines don't calculate your heart rate for 1 minute, the variation is there during expiration and inspiration. So, whatever it measures is an approximate value. So, it can be 58 or 61 bpm. Now 58 bpm is low and 61 bpm is fine. So, if we need accurate reading we need to count manually. Good Luck.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar