During a 3 day sleep study in 1995 it was noted that there was an extended period of Bradychardia at 36 bpm. Lately I have 30 bpm over 4 hrs. The regular bpm are in the high 50's. Emergency nurses have recorded 37 bpm. My physician and nurses regularly mention the difficulty in fixing a heart rate. I have had an extensive panel of tests including a 'nuclear injection' stress test followed by a computer aided modelling of the heart.
Lately my frequency of odd conditions has increased.
I realise I am walking exceptionally slowly. I once tried to break out of the slow walk by sprinting but discovered after 2 steps I had not broken free. I checked my footprints in the snow and they did not show any staggering.
Cold conditions. I dress very carefully but a gentle puff of wind on my face gives me a reaction like a punch to the stomach. Simlarly picking up a piece of cold metal I get the kick to the stomach before my fingers register the cold. My physician and Internist say "you don't have a bad heart". My feeling is that I am not pumping sufficient blood. Any similar experiences out there? Meds-Atenolol(bad?), Ramipril,Crestor.
Anonymous, Thank you for your Reply. I feel that it may lie in the fact that I do not have any of the normal markers used to warrant a Pacemaker. I do not get light headed, shortness of breath, lassitude,etc. My physician tells me I am not ready for a Pacemaker.
In my youth I was highly regarded as a track athlete. In my early fifties I retired as a TAE KWON DO MASTER due to irregular travel requirements in my employment. In my late 60's I took up JU-JITSU and I loved getting thrown around. At this time I knew of my Bradycardia but it never entered my mind. I somehow knew I could drop dead in an instant. I visualise my slow walking as the slow movements of a Heron stalking fish in shallow water. I am clear headed enough to analyse and look back at my tracks for straightness,etc. My reactions to cold is that I feel that every cell in my body is singing, resonating and touching very cold objects is an assault. Taking a pack of Butter or two eggs from the fridge means getting them down on the counter in a hurry as my fingers turn white in an instant. This year I have my Thermostat set 3 deg. higher.
My phsyician regularly tells me that he keeps overlooking that I am much older than my appear suggests.
Anonymous, Thank you for your continued interest. Without Atenolol my bpm was in the high 60's, low 70's and I regarded this as normal. A regular heart beat in the low 80's would ring alarm bells. Basically the reason for the post was to try to get a background feel from the experience of others. I have no hang ups as to a moderate shift from the 'standard 72-bpm'. I have lost my drive for conditioning and exercise.
Is there another system, theory or postulate whereby bradycardia is eliminated by establishing a heart rate above the 'norm'?
I have fainted before when my heart raced out of control.
Thank you for your interest.