Does a low heart rate always mean an enlarged heart size?
Former Member
I was having this discussion with someone who says that a person with a low resting heart rate automatically has an enlarged heart.
I once had my heart checked. While my resting heart rate was around 35 bpm, my heart size was rather average. I recently read something that said that an athlete does NOT automatically have an enlarged heart.
I can't find that article anymore.
Does anyone know in what way a low heart rate has to do with the size of your heart and if all swimmers have larger hearts than average people?
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Former Member
A thyroid problem could also cause a low resting heart rate. If your body temperature when you wake up is normally under 98 degree and you have the low resting heart rate, the next time you see your doctor and have blood work up, ask to have your TSH checked.
-michael
My heart rate is obviously the result of swimming. If I take a break for a couple of months my heart rate goes up to 60 bpm. As soon as I pick up swimming again, my heart rate goes down again.
I think if you train 4000-5000 yards a day and do a lot of cycling on the side it would be astonishing if you DIDN'T have a low heart rate.
My question wasn't really if swimmers have a lower heart rate(which they usually do) but rather if they automatically have an enlarged heart when they have a low heart rate.
No, it does not.
Well, my resting heart rate of 35 bpm was 15 years ago and I'm still alive.;)
My average resting heart rate these days is around 45 bmp. A lot of athletes have a resting heart rate of 35 or even lower though.
Reply
Former Member
A thyroid problem could also cause a low resting heart rate. If your body temperature when you wake up is normally under 98 degree and you have the low resting heart rate, the next time you see your doctor and have blood work up, ask to have your TSH checked.
-michael
My heart rate is obviously the result of swimming. If I take a break for a couple of months my heart rate goes up to 60 bpm. As soon as I pick up swimming again, my heart rate goes down again.
I think if you train 4000-5000 yards a day and do a lot of cycling on the side it would be astonishing if you DIDN'T have a low heart rate.
My question wasn't really if swimmers have a lower heart rate(which they usually do) but rather if they automatically have an enlarged heart when they have a low heart rate.
No, it does not.
Well, my resting heart rate of 35 bpm was 15 years ago and I'm still alive.;)
My average resting heart rate these days is around 45 bmp. A lot of athletes have a resting heart rate of 35 or even lower though.
