PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Low Pulse Rate / BP
View Single Post
Old 19th Jan 2010, 08:30
  #7 (permalink)  
Bob the Doc
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kettering
Age: 49
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wouldn't worry about that BP. The Bruce protocol is a stress ECG which is limited by changes in BP, HR and chest pain as well as ECG changes. Getting to a decent level is relatively reliable for excluding serious coronary insufficiency. The HR limit is a maximum that you should be allowed to attain, not a target. The test should be stopped if you exceed the maximum HR but you should not be beasted until you get to that target. Stopping a test due to ankle pain is a shame but if you have got far enough on the protocol before you have to stop then that should be fine.

Hypotension can be a problem for some people if they feel faint when they stand up or have a low G-tolerance for example but the blood pressure you describe is not desperately low and having a lowish BP and HR are usually good for you rather than harmful.

I would be reassured that the test was normal and try not to worry about it. Most athletes have low BP and HR. Miguel Indurain (Spanish Tour de France rider) had a resting HR of 28! No-one told him he needed to do something to bring it up. I bet he would have difficulty making his maximum HR on a treadmill (although he would be there and sustain it for 20km riding up the Mont Ventoux!)

Take care (and try and stop the fags!)

Bob
Bob the Doc is offline