Heartbeat?

[10ClarionSt]

I had a check up today and the doc says I have the blood pressure and heartbeat of a 20 year old. Oh to be 20 again eh? He said my heartbeat was 48 but I didn't ask what is considered to a normal or average heart beat rate. Does anyone know?

[bag.lady]

the doc says my own is that of a child. don't know if that's good or bad.

[beanebabe]

Crikey, 48 is slow. Always thought mine was at 60 (average is about 75). As for bag lady - a childs heart beat is quite fast! A baby's is over 100 bpm.

[bag.lady]

beanebabe is that good or bad? does fast heart beat means high blood pressure?

[wardie100]

fast heart beat doesnt mean you have high blood pressure (although you can have both) i have a low blood pressure but i high heartrate of about 90 which is unusual as im only 20 yrs old.
its not necessarily bad you shouldnt worry about it if your dr isnt, but generally the fitter you are the slower your resting heartrate is. younger people ie young adults not children have slower heartrates than older people.

[bag.lady]

wardie, thank you for answering my question and explaining.

i get sometimes get dizzy and see dark when i stretch or get up too quickly. i was told that my blood pressure might be low. not by a professional though.

[wardie100]

yes that can happen with low blood pressure, if you stand up too fast gravity pulls all your blood to your feet and away from your brain (as the pressure in your arteries isnt sufficient to push the blood up there) hence starving it of oxygen momentarily.
thats the reason we faint-we fall over so blood can reach our brain easier.

[bag.lady]

you so smart wardie ! thanks again.

hello and nice to meet you !

[wardie100]

not really im a medical student (although just in my first few years) so i have to know these things, glad to help though.
nice to meet you too.

[sqad617]

Might be nothing, but your heart rate is low (bradycardia) and would suggest that you get it re-tested and if it is still below 50 beats/min that would suggest investigation necesarry. Many things cause low heart rate, but the one that comes to mind is an underactive thyroid. Good luck.