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Why A Low Resting Heart Rate Doesn't Mean You're Healthy — Key Takeaways

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Why A Low Resting Heart Rate Doesn't Mean You're Healthy

Jay Feldman Wellness19mSep 10, 2026

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Target a resting heart rate of 70-85 bpm (65-80 if aerobically fit) as a sign of good metabolic and thyroid function, rather than assuming lower is always healthier.

Key takeaways

Resting heart rate 50→85 raises mortality ~35%, not 400% as claimed online

Resting heart rate 50→85 raises mortality ~35%, not 400% as claimed online

  • Meta-analysis: relative risk 1.09 per 10bpm increase in resting heart rate for all-cause mortality
  • 35bpm difference (50 to 85) extrapolates to ~35% increased risk, far below viral claims of 400%

Optimal resting heart rate target: 70-85 bpm, adjusted down for aerobic fitness

Optimal resting heart rate target: 70-85 bpm, adjusted down for aerobic fitness

  • Aerobically fit individuals can aim 5-10bpm lower: 65-80 or even 60-75 bpm range
  • Goal is heart rate rising as a byproduct of improved metabolic/thyroid function, not directly targeting the number

Low resting heart rate (40s-60s) is usually downregulated metabolism, not fitness

Low resting heart rate (40s-60s) is usually downregulated metabolism, not fitness

  • Most people presenting with heart rates in this range show low body temp and chronic stress symptoms
  • Highly aerobically fit people can still be hypothyroid, producing a falsely 'good-looking' low heart rate

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In this video

  1. 1mchallenging Ray Peat’s view that a higher resting heart rate is healthier than a low RHR
  2. 8mfactors that affect resting heart rate: stress, fitness, cardiac output, thyroid, and metabolic rate
  3. 12mwhy a high metabolic rate can be unhealthy or healthy
  4. 16mwhat is an optimal resting heart rate?

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