Health & Lifestyle

I have the SLOWEST pulse in the world: Doctors stunned by ultra-low heart rate of active 24-year-old, who feared he’d need a pacemaker to stop his dizzy spells

  • Active 24-year-old who runs 5ks recorded a low heart rate of 22bmp in a ECG
  • His sights are set on a place in the Guinness World Records for slowest heart rate

An active 24-year-old claims to have the world’s slowest pulse. 

Cameron Johnson’s heart rate has been recorded plunging to as low as 22bpm (beats per minute) — slower than that of top athletes. 

Currently the world record belongs to a super-fit British pensioner, whose 26bpm was caught during a check-up with his doctor.

Mr Johnson, an ecologist who lives in Newcastle, was first alerted to his ultra-low pulse by a health tracker seven years ago. He also suffered occasional dizzy spells. 

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Johnson, an avid runner and cyclist, revealed he only recently got it ‘fully checked’. 

Cameron Johnson, 24, remains active despite his low heart rate and dizzy spells. He runs 5ks several times a week (pictured) goes cycling, plays football and badminton

Cameron Johnson, 24, remains active despite his low heart rate and dizzy spells. He runs 5ks several times a week (pictured) goes cycling, plays football and badminton 

A cardiologist officially logged his heart rate as being in the low 30s during an ECG taken a few years ago.

But alarm bells only truly rang this July when Mr Johnson’s pulse was taken by his GP.

Startled by the readings, the doctor called an ambulance because they didn’t want him driving home. 

Mr Johnson said paramedics advised him to ‘wear something to tell people my heart rate is normally that low’ in case he ever became unresponsive in future.

After a few checks, doctors said his abnormally low pulse is fine.

He told MailOnline: ‘Doctors said it is fine.

‘Sometimes I have struggled to believe it, but they say it’s healthy and nothing to be that concerned by.’

Mr Johnson’s incredible 22bpm rate was logged when doctors hooked him up to an ECG machine for 24 hours in September. 

It showed his average heart rate was 30bmp, with drops as low as 22bmp, including nocturnal pauses.  

Mr Johnson's incredible heart rate of 22bpm was then recorded when doctors hooked him up to an ECG machine for 24 hours in September

Mr Johnson’s incredible heart rate of 22bpm was then recorded when doctors hooked him up to an ECG machine for 24 hours in September

Normal heart rates range from between 60 to 100bpm, depending on activity levels. 

It varies based on activity, with it slowing down while people sleep and speeding up during exercise.  

A low heart rate, typically below 60bpm, can be a sign of a problem with the heart’s electrical system. 

This is known medically as bradycardia and can cause fainting and tiredness, which should be checked by a GP, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Heart block is one condition which causes the heart to beat more slowly or with an abnormal rhythm, the NHS says. 

It’s caused by a problem with the electrical pulses that control how your heart beats.

However, a slow heart rate can be normal for athletes, according to BHF.

For example, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mo Farah have recorded resting heart rates of 35bpm and 33bpm, respectively. 

It’s estimated that more than 2million Brits experience heart rhythm issues and most of them can lead normal lives, the BHF says.

‘I did have concerns about it because it is such a rare thing,’ said Mr Johnson. 

‘Most health warnings look at high heart rate and high blood pressure but there isn’t much about low heart rates.

‘I was worried that I would need a pacemaker, but doctors said there was no point giving one to me at such a low age as it would actually do more damage.’

In order to be officially recognised in the Guinness Book of World records, Mr Johnson would need to spend another 24 hours hooked up to an ECG machine, but this time monitored by two Guinness representatives

In order to be officially recognised in the Guinness Book of World records, Mr Johnson would need to spend another 24 hours hooked up to an ECG machine, but this time monitored by two Guinness representatives

Despite the dizzy spells, Mr Johnson says his heart rate doesn’t stop him doing ‘daily activities’ as doctors have ‘cleared it as healthy but worth monitoring’.

He continues to exercise several times a week including two 5km runs, cycling, and playing football and badminton. 

Now Mr Johnson has set his sights on a place in the Guinness World Records for his ultra-low heart rate.

He said: ‘I think I have fairly good grounds for it being the lowest ever. 

‘It is pretty rare in general people, but it’s obviously more common in athletes.’

The current Guinness World Record holder is Martin Brady, of Guernsey, who logged a heartbeat of 27bpm in 2005 at the age of 45. 

But pensioner Daniel Green was awarded the same accolade by a separate judging panel in 2014 at the age of 81. He was found to have a resting rate of 36bmp which dropped to 26bmp. 

However, in order to be officially recognised in the Guinness Book of World records, Mr Johnson would need to spend another 24 hours hooked up to an ECG machine, but this time monitored by two Guinness representatives.

They would then take the lowest three readings and use the average as the lowest heart rate number.

He would also need to be referenced in at least one published peer-reviewed medical journal as having a a significantly lower heart rate than the norm for the rest of the population.

On top of that, Mr Johnson would need video evidence and several other forms, which he says would be a ‘big faff’.  

What is a normal heart rate? 

Normally a heart rate between 60bmp and 100bpm while resting is normal for adults.

But what is ‘normal’ can be different for everyone depending on age and health.

To find your normal resting heart rate sit still for 5-10 minutes and then count the number of times your heart beats in a minute by checking your pulse. 

A dangerous heart rate

An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm issue where your heart beats too slowly, too quickly or irregularly. 

It can be dangerous as blood isn’t pumped well enough around the body.

This can cause dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and it increases the risk of a stroke.

Fast heart rate

If your resting heart rate is above 100bmp then it is likely to be too fast, which is known as tachycardia.

It can be caused by an infection, anemia, and an overactive thyroid.

You should see your GP if you experience symptoms such as fainting, feeling very tired, dizziness and heart palpitations. 

Slow heart rate

A heart rate below 60bpm while resting is considered too slow for most people. 

Known as bradycardia, which can be normal for athletes who are very fit, can be a concern if people experience fainting and tiredness. 

 Source: British Heart Foundation 

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