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?
Parents
Former Member
Final note: All of the above notwithstanding, to get a significant remodeling of the heart--either thickened walls or enlarged pumping chambers--requires very hefty amounts of exercise, much more than even dedicated masters swimmers are likely to do. Think Lance Armstrong, who has 2 liters more blood than most of us mortals; or Bjorn Borg in his prime, whose resting heart rate was measured at 28 beats per minute.
Nice explanation. While I was reading your post I was actually thinking of Lance Armstrong. I think he has a heart that is twice the size of an average heart but cycling long distances is a lot different than swimming.
I used to work as a bike messenger. That meant cycling about 60-70 miles and 10 hours per day, five days a week. I never had myself checked back then but it would've been interesting to see if my heart was any larger than usual.
Final note: All of the above notwithstanding, to get a significant remodeling of the heart--either thickened walls or enlarged pumping chambers--requires very hefty amounts of exercise, much more than even dedicated masters swimmers are likely to do. Think Lance Armstrong, who has 2 liters more blood than most of us mortals; or Bjorn Borg in his prime, whose resting heart rate was measured at 28 beats per minute.
Nice explanation. While I was reading your post I was actually thinking of Lance Armstrong. I think he has a heart that is twice the size of an average heart but cycling long distances is a lot different than swimming.
I used to work as a bike messenger. That meant cycling about 60-70 miles and 10 hours per day, five days a week. I never had myself checked back then but it would've been interesting to see if my heart was any larger than usual.
