When it comes to elderly patients, a slow heart rate may be normal—or risky. Rates as low as 40 beats/minute may be normal and simply result from a decreased response to either epinephrine or beta-adrenergic stimulation. Or such slow rates may result from a dangerous arrhythmia.Nov 11, 2006

What is a normal heart rate for an elderly person?

The normal resting heart rate for adults over the age of 10 years, including older adults, is between 60 and 100 beats per minute ( bpm ).

When should I worry about a slow heart rate?

Adults and children who have a low pulse and experience severe symptoms, such as chest pain or fainting, should also go to the hospital. A person should see a doctor for bradycardia when: they experience an unexplained change in heart rate that lasts for several days.

Does your heart rate slow down when you get older?

“As people get older , there is occasional normal wear and tear on the electrical system of the heart ,” he says. “As a result, the normal rhythm tends to slow down .” If your heart rate is slow , but you don’t have symptoms, there’s no reason to worry.

What is a life threatening slow heart rate?

When the heart does not operate as it is supposed to and develops an abnormally slow heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute, the condition is known as bradycardia. Bradycardia can be life threatening if the heart is unable to maintain a rate that pumps enough oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

What is normal heart rate for a 90 year old?

Normal resting heart rate for adults Normal resting heart rate can vary from person to person, but for most adults, it’s between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

What causes low heart rate in the elderly?

Bradycardia can be caused by: Heart tissue damage related to aging . Damage to heart tissues from heart disease or heart attack.

Does slow heart rate mean clogged arteries?

Experts are rediscovering that faster resting heart rates are linked to the development of cholesterol- clogged coronary arteries , chest pain, and shorter lives. This new attention is sparked, in part, by new drugs that slow the heart rate . You needn’t “” and shouldn’t “” wait for them.

Is 55 too low of a heart rate?

In general, for adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute (BPM) qualifies as bradycardia. But there are exceptions. Your heart rate may fall below 60 BPM during deep sleep. And physically active adults (and athletes) often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM.

Can dehydration cause low heart rate?

Dehydration causes strain on your heart . The amount of blood circulating through your body, or blood volume, decreases when you are dehydrated . To compensate, your heart beats faster, increasing your heart rate and causing you to feel palpitations.

At what heart rate should you go to the hospital?

Go to your local emergency room or call 9-1-1 if you have: New chest pain or discomfort that’s severe, unexpected, and comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or weakness. A fast heart rate (more than 120-150 beats per minute ) — especially if you are short of breath. Shortness of breath not relieved by rest.

Why do elderly have lower temperature?

Several factors can lead to a lower body temperature in older people . For instance, as you age, you lose fat under the skin in your extremities and your skin becomes drier; both of these changes cause loss of body heat. Metabolism, which also generates heat, tends to slow as you age.

What heart rate is a heart attack?

Recent studies suggest a heart rate higher than 76 beats per minute when you’re resting may be linked to a higher risk of heart attack .

Is coffee good for bradycardia?

Moderate doses of coffee have been shown to reduce resting heart rate due to a moderate increase in BP. The decrease in heart rate is generally associated with vagally mediated slowing as the baroreceptors respond to BP elevations after caffeine administration.

What can cause a slow heart beat?

Potential medical causes of a slow heart rate include: abnormal heart rhythms. congestive cardiomyopathy. heart attack. side effects of medications . stroke. electrolyte imbalance. sick sinus syndrome. hypothyroidism .