Originally Posted by
Trsnrtr
Off to see my cardiologist this afternoon for a nuisance checkup. Haven’t been in three years and my family doc wants me checked out due to my recent ecg which showed all of my “normal” issues (left ventricle hypertrophy, benign arrhythmia, etc.) and she doesn’t like my resting HR <40 despite the fact that I reminded her that I ride 6,000+ miles annually and have for 38 seasons.
It is believed that low heart rates (bradycardia) in high-mileage
athletes such as yourself are due to virtually permanent cellular changes in the sinus node where the normal heart rhythm is generated. It doesn't go away when you get out of shape. Unfortunately, that 40 bpm puts you at some risk for "capture" of the electrical system of the heart by other generators, whose rhythms aren't as danceable. Doesn't matter where the bradycardia came from. That's one reason I'm not too unhappy with my crappy little heart with its 55 bpm (on a good day), now that I'm in my 60s.