Low Heart Rate

[Andy]

Since I got to be 44 years young and never had a full medical check as far as I can remember, I decided it was a good idea to give my body a full medical check rather than the usual practise of waiting for something to break or drop off and get rushed to hospital.

So far I had blood samples taken, blood pressure (normal), eye test, ecg, tapping by rubber mallet around my bones, listening to lungs, xrays and external probing of the stomach.

Next my stools are to be checked and I'm having a Barium drink and scan.

At the moment, I am hooked up to a 24hour heart monitor (strapped to myself like an ipod) since my heart rate is very low like 48 BPM. This was preceeded with a detailed ultrasound scan of my heart. I don't think I have a problem since I do jogging and don't get chest pain and I am only slightly overweight. My dad's heart rate wa recently measured at 41BPM so it looks like a genetic thing.

Do you have health screening? Lower heart rate?

[Queen Bee]

I've had blood samples, blood pressure (occasionally it's on the high side, I've had it as high as 140/94 when in pain... my "normal" range is about 120/80 these days), and a CT scan w/ and w/o contrast (that barium drink is delicious, isn't it?)

My heart rate is anywhere from 92 to 114... It's actually a bit high sometimes. I also have frequent heart palpitations and a minor heart murmur (no PMV.) When nurses/doctors listen to my heartbeat they usually ask, "Are you nervous about being in a hospital/medical center?" The response is always, "No, I'm usually this tense." Hah.

I am underweight and I no longer do any heavy exercise for fear of losing even more weight. If I started working out again I'd drop below 98 lbs., and I can't have that right now. It is depressing, however... I feel so much better when I run.

[Andy]

Try martial arts. It would lower your stress level. Plus, you would meet some great people. I don't think you would lose weight since you would gain muscle mass.

The heart monitor comes off this morning and I get to taste the barium drink tomorrow.

[Menard]

I am underweight and I no longer do any heavy exercise for fear of losing even more weight. If I started working out again I'd drop below 98 lbs., and I can't have that right now. It is depressing, however... I feel so much better when I run.

What kind of calorie intake do you have on a regular basis?

It's not easy, for some, to get enough calories, based on their eating habits.

As my mother was going downhill with her Parkinson's disease, she was also losing weight. My objective was to keep her calorie intake above a certain level, while maintaining a good balance of protein and complex carbs. It was even more difficult than it sounds as she ate a lot of fruits, and they hardly added to the calorie intake. Trying to keep the protein levels up, I was also trying to keep the fat below a reasonable level, which made it even more difficult.

Even though I am a vegetarian myself, I eat a lot of junk food; just no animal by-products in it (other than dairy or eggs). I have a problem with trying to take the weight off. Now that I am getting in more physical activity with work, there is a slow progression down (very slow); so long as I can maintain it.

When I did some work at a factory last summer, the inside temperature was on average 10 degrees higher than it was outside. No kidding; when it was 95 f outside, we were working at above 105 f inside. Regardless of how much one drank in fluids, there was no need to go to the restroom as it was all sweated out. It is interesting that my heart rate dropped to near 60bpm while I was working there.

Ideally, and you probably know this by heart, the best way to put on or maintain weight is through caloric intake, so long as there is proper protein intake with it. Keeping the protein up, and having it be a good part of your caloric intake, as Andy said, would build muscle mass as you exercise.

Judging by your weight, I'm making as assumtion that you have a high metabolism and can't keep your weight up anyway.

A good way I have found to provide protein and increase calories, in a healthy manner, is the Slimfast drink.

No, I didn't stutter.

Slimfast has calories and protein, but is low in fat. It is a meal replacement that only works to reduce weight if someone uses it in place of a meal. However, adding it to one's regular diet can increase the calories and protein intake at healthy levels. Two of them a day can add over 20 grams of protein and over 400 calories to your diet, without having to overeat to do it. They do contain a good, natural level of fiber as well; so don't overdo the Slimfast.

[Andy]

I finished the medical checks today. My eyes are fine  But I have to wait for the rest of the results for 1 month. The barium stuff was ok but they were kind of confused with how to deal with my large gaijin frame (I'm residing in Japan). The nurse insisted I drop my trowsers (pants) because there may have been some metal in my jogging gear and spent a little too long evaluating my size I thought but it is over now.

[Menard]

The nurse insisted I drop my trowsers (pants)...and spent a little too long evaluating my size...

Oh...that is just so wrong


 

[Andy]

I think my heart rate climbed a bit after this 

I'm looking forward to the full report in about 3 weeks time. Currently I feel very fit. I am going for runs almost every day and my weight is reducing. I think that in 1 month I will look like a beach life-guard except being 20 years too old. I am currently wearing the beach shorts to get used to the feeling 

For breakfast I eat 1 banana. For lunch I have salad. And for evening meal I have a normal evening dinner such as roast chicken, veg and gravy washed down with wine. I drink a lot of wine but it doesn't seem to affect me losing weight. In the day time I only drink tea and maybe water.

The key to my weight loss seems to have been avoiding peanut snacks at night and toast with marmalade for breakfast. Cutting out these seems to have really made a difference. Also I have been getting more used to exercise and now my weight is lower, jogging is easier to do. I also do some weight work with dumb bells and do some stomach crunches on a mat. If you are too heavy to jog, I suggest you should go for daily walks.

Last year I started a weightloss site which I didn't work on much but I think I posted some useful stuff there: http://www.weight-loss-tips.ws