Issues with a slow heart rate

Question

The acceptable range is 60-100, mine is consistantly below 60. Sometimes it is above 60 for short periods of time. I was doing a lot of walking and it was at 52. I think this is why I always feel sluggish, especially in the legs, and I fatigue fast. My weight is normal.

What causes a low heart rate? How do I fix it?

I'm not sure what my blood pressure is, I can check it at walmart.

Answer 1

A heart rate of above 60 is fine.  You are in good shape due to your walking exercises.  Athletes are known to have very low heart rate.  I once took care of a young athlete with a heart rate of only 30. In a normal situation, he's in trouble.  Sluggish and cramps in the legs could be due to the build-up of lactic acid.  make sure you eat bananas and drink o,j. if you have low potassium - another cause of leg cramps. So it's impt to warm- up before walking and wind down after.    

Answer 2

Bradycardia means that the heart is beating too slowly (usually less than 60 beats per minute). It is important to realize that for some people with healthy hearts, a rate below 60 beats per minute may be normal. After all, our heart rates may dip below normal range when we sleep, and some athletes experience heart rates below 60 beats per minute when they rest.

The two most common causes of bradycardia are diseases of the sinoatrial (SA) node (sick sinus syndrome), which is the heart's natural pacemaker or other problems with the heart's electrical conduction system (heart block). These diseases can cause the heart to beat too slowly all the time or occasionally. In either case, the heart may not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. As the heart rate declines, there is not sufficient blood flow to the brain, causing feelings of light-headedness, and sometimes, fainting.