Question 1

What is a low heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Doctors consider a low heart rate to be 60 beats per minute (bpm) and below. In fact, if you have bradycardia, you’ll have a low resting heart rate below 60, even when you’re awake and active. In contrast, a normal range is 60 to 100 bpm while awake.

Question 2

Can what’s considered a low heart rate change depending on the activity?

Accepted Answer

For most young people, highly trained athletes, and people who work out regularly, a low heart rate while exercising — defined as below 60 bpm — is normal and healthy. The same goes for your nightly snooze. When you’re asleep, your heart rate normally slows down to 40 to 60 beats a minute.

Tag: EKG

Low Heart Rate: What It Is and When to Worry