Because of my genetics, and the fact that I was obese right up till age 18, I had an abnormally high blood pressure.

But ever since I started exercising, I've seen it fall to a decent level. Which is normal.

Last night I checked it...and I was sitting at around 129/70 with a pulse of 65.

I have absolutely no problem with the blood pressure, but I'm wondering why my pulse is so low. Normal level is around 72, and I've tested around 55-65 every single time I do it. Most of the time its around 60.

My doctor has never said anything about this, and I've never asked.

Oh, and what is your blood pressure like? Acceptable? Want to get better?

A pulse of 65 isn't really low. It is a bit lower than average, but not by much. Elite athletes can have resting heart rates in the 30's. A blood pressure of 120/80 what you want to shoot for, so your blood pressure is pretty decent.

Yeah, that's a decent HR, but not low. When I'm really in good shape my resting rate is low 50s.

Lance Armstrong I believe was reported to have a resting HR in the low 30s during his career.

It can also vary depending on how close to a hard workout you are. If you are in the so called EPOC window, it might be a bit elevated.

My blood pressure also varies by training type. If I'm pushing it hard and doing lactic acid type training, when I'm recovered my blood pressure has been as low as 105/62. But normally at the doctor's office it will be 125/70 or so (some white coat syndrome in there I know).

129/70 with a pulse of 65

Both completely normal.

Because of my genetics, and the fact that I was obese right up till age 18, I had an abnormally high blood pressure.

But ever since I started exercising, I've seen it fall to a decent level. Which is normal.

Last night I checked it...and I was sitting at around 129/70 with a pulse of 65.

I have absolutely no problem with the blood pressure, but I'm wondering why my pulse is so low. Normal level is around 72, and I've tested around 55-65 every single time I do it. Most of the time its around 60.

Don't sweat the lower pulse than you are used to. It's probably healthier than what you are used to. If you improve your cardiovascular fitness, it's not unusual for your resting pulse to decrease.

A pulse of 65 isn't really low. It is a bit lower than average, but not by much. Elite athletes can have resting heart rates in the 30's. A blood pressure of 120/80 what you want to shoot for, so your blood pressure is pretty decent.

These days they want us to shoot for 110/70, with emphasis on getting the 70.

when I'm recovered my blood pressure has been as low as 105/62. But normally at the doctor's office it will be 125/70 or so (some white coat syndrome in there I know).

Make sure they take it a few times. The past few times at the doctor I get around 140/80 on the first test, and 110/70 by the third test. My doctor said that they always use the third reading for clinical trials because this is so common.

So a lower blood pressure is better?

I'm 19....I want to do everything in my power to possibly stop the heart problems I would have probably had, considering my genetic history.

Your RHR is fine. If your doctor hasn't said anything to you about it, then you almost definitely don't have a cardiomyopathy. The drop in you RHR is probably due to getting older and is possbily exercise induced. Your heart doesn't have to work as fast to get blood (O2) to you muscles because your heart is stronger, and is pumping more blood per beat. It is almost always a good thing to decrease your RHR over time with regular exercise.

Your RHR is fine. During track season mine was down to 37, as of this moment it is about 42, and I'm in no danger of falling over dead.

Your pulse will not prevent you from falling over dead. Sudden death is just that. Out of the blue.

The lowest pulse I have ever recorded is around 80 and that was recent. While as a teenager and young man I stayed in high 90s while I had 110 over 60 for blood pressure.

I recently had a shortage of breath problem, even spend my first night in a hospital since I was 15 years old with appendix. They put me through every test I have heard of for over 3 weeks for heart and lungs, they said with a surprise on their face that everything was fine with my heart and lungs. It was what I told each of the 5 doctors involved about - a new medication that I had been put on a week before the visit to emergency room. I stopped the medicine that they all said wasn't a problem and had no signs of problems with breathing. My body didn't like it. Only cost my insurance a bunch of money and me some to find out what good health I was in.

So a lower blood pressure is better?

If you get there by improving your fitness? Yes.

If you get it because you're bleeding to death and in shock? Not so much better.

Don't sweat the lower pulse than you are used to. It's probably healthier than what you are used to. If you improve your cardiovascular fitness, it's not unusual for your resting pulse to decrease.

To bump this thread.

Decrease to what?

I'm down to 52-54-54 in 3 tests yesterday. At first I couldn't believe it, so I retested myself two more times to make sure. Sure enough....it was pretty consistent.

Blood pressure is sitting at 121/70 now....kind of hard to check it again. I think I have blood pressure monitor syndrome, whenever ANYONE takes my BP, it slowly elevates. By the 3rd test its completely skewed.

As you might notice, the 121 came down from 129 where it was previously....and the 70 has stayed the same. Obviously the 129 coming down is great, but what should I expect from the bottom number as I continue working out?

My pulse getting lower I contribute to doing HIIT with squats and deadlifts. Load 150 lbs onto the bar, do as many reps as you can for 30 sec, rest 30 sec and do it again. If I monitor my HR during those sessions, I'm up around 200-205bpm.

Make sure they take it a few times. The past few times at the doctor I get around 140/80 on the first test, and 110/70 by the third test. My doctor said that they always use the third reading for clinical trials because this is so common.

I'm completely opposite.

The machine the nurses uses on me is programmed to do 5 repetitions, and with each one it gets higher.

My pulse getting lower I contribute to doing HIIT with squats and deadlifts. Load 150 lbs onto the bar, do as many reps as you can for 30 sec, rest 30 sec and do it again. If I monitor my HR during those sessions, I'm up around 200-205bpm.

Yeah that sort of thing is extremely good for conditioning. I used to do a lot, and I ought to do more of it now.

Yeah that sort of thing is extremely good for conditioning. I used to do a lot, and I ought to do more of it now.

Oh, for sure.

Even good 'ol HIIT on the bike doesn't get me gasping like that.