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
I have emailed my doctor becuase I doubt that these statements are accurate. I'll let you know...
I know that I definitely used to have a resting heart rate of 35 bpm because I was checked by a cardiologist. Actually 35 was my lowest heart rate measured. Usually it was more around 40-43.
Here is what I found about the topic with the help of Google:
"Values range from 28 for elite athletes to as much as 100 for the very sedentary Known as a marker of fitness "
findarticles.com/.../
"Elite athletes commonly have lower resting heart rates, some as low as the high 20s." www.thatsfit.com/.../
"Miguel Indurain, a Spanish cyclist and five time Tour de France winner, had a resting heart rate of 28 beats per minute, one of the lowest ever recorded in a healthy human." en.wikipedia.org/.../Heart_rate
Additionally I also read on a triathlete board that many members had a resting heart rate around 30-35.
Having said that, although I had a resting heart rate of 35 bpm, it doesn't automatically mean that I was fitter than another athlete who might have a resting heart rate of 45-50 bpm.
I have emailed my doctor becuase I doubt that these statements are accurate. I'll let you know...
I know that I definitely used to have a resting heart rate of 35 bpm because I was checked by a cardiologist. Actually 35 was my lowest heart rate measured. Usually it was more around 40-43.
Here is what I found about the topic with the help of Google:
"Values range from 28 for elite athletes to as much as 100 for the very sedentary Known as a marker of fitness "
findarticles.com/.../
"Elite athletes commonly have lower resting heart rates, some as low as the high 20s." www.thatsfit.com/.../
"Miguel Indurain, a Spanish cyclist and five time Tour de France winner, had a resting heart rate of 28 beats per minute, one of the lowest ever recorded in a healthy human." en.wikipedia.org/.../Heart_rate
Additionally I also read on a triathlete board that many members had a resting heart rate around 30-35.
Having said that, although I had a resting heart rate of 35 bpm, it doesn't automatically mean that I was fitter than another athlete who might have a resting heart rate of 45-50 bpm.
