How can I get my heart rate down?

Question

At rest/relaxed my heart beats around 86 beats per minute. I know it's supposed to be much lower than that. I am on Soritane for Psoriasis but my heart rate was like this before the medication as well. My blood presure is usually somewhere around 117/77 or so. It's not high. I don't do drugs or drink but I do smoke cigs. Could that be it? I know they are not helping. Please help if ya can. Thanks

Answer 1

Short term:

lay down & elevate legs, drink more, deep breaths, close eyes and relax, pet a calm animal (no joke!)

Long term:

exercise, eat right, stay fit, ask doctor about it (I have a resting heart rate of 90-100 which I found out is actually because my blood-pressure is not regulated correctly and my heart rate speeds up to compensate.)

Good luck!

Answer 2

Average resting heart rate should be around 72bpm. 86bpm is fairly normal. Cardio respiratory exercise (i.e. jogging) can be beneficial in reducing HR if done consistently. Low intake of salt/MSG is also helpful.

3 main factors for causing high blood pressure and HR are the following.

1. Overweight

2. smoking

3. salt

Answer 3

generally, my opinion is the lower your heart rate is the healthier, it just means that your body isn't as efficient as it should be. Smoking sure doesnt help and you'd feel alot better if you quit.

if you research, you'll see that runners, sprinters, people that are very healthy have slower pulses.

EXERCISE :)

Answer 4

Start to learn how to do breathing exercises and learn how to control ur breathing and lung capacity. Try to stay from stressful situations.

Answer 5

86 is an alright HR.  Also, your blood pressure is fine.  I would not worry and I would not let anyone tell me that I was tachycardiac- meaning a heart rate that is too rapid.  

Your heart rate is not considered too fast until it is greater than 95 or 100 at rest.  You may be near the top, but your rate is fine, especially since your BP is not elevated.  Don't worry.

Answer 6

You heart rate doesn't sound that high but if you want to lower it, train yourself by doing some cardiovascular exercise (anything that works your heart). Run and increase your endurance. Athletes have lower heart rates because their heart needs to work less to supply the blood.

The healthier the heart, the lower the blood pressure.

Answer 7

Yes, your smoking can increase your heart rate.  You can lower your heart rate by 7.3 (+/- 1) beats per minute if you quit smoking even over the short term.  If your heart beat is 86, you can get it as low as 79, which is good.  You know all the bad things about smoking.  As I've recently quit smoking, I know what a pain it is to hear it over and over again, so I won't belabor the point.    

You don't mention your age or level of fitness, both of which could be factors in your ideal and current heart rate.

Consistent aerobic exercise can significantly improve your heart rate.  Give it a shot.

Best of luck!

Answer 8

A normal heartbeat is 72....so says the books...but "normal" to you may be different as it is for a lot of people. 86 isn't high enough to be concerned about unless you are having symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or extreme hyperactivity.

If this is the case, then you should see a doctor.

Smoking will make your heart beat faster as will some drugs.

Don't worry.........that will make it worse also!

Answer 9

Meditation works too.