Pensioner Daniel Green has the world's slowest resting heart beat thanks to a life of exercise[SWNS]

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Daniel Green, 81, could not believe it when doctors told him his heart rate had dropped to just 26 beats per minute (bpm), which is slower than even cycling hero Sir Bradley Wiggins' at rest.

Exercise enthusiast Mr Green was having a regular check-up when doctors realised his resting rate was 36bpm, before it then dropped to 26bpm and officially lower than the world record.

The remarkable pensioner said: "I couldn't believe it when the doctors told me. I suppose your heart rate isn't something anyone ever really notices.

"I was put forward for the 24-hour scan after my GP was alarmed by a 15-second ECG he gave me. But there's nothing to worry about – I'm still in fine fettle.

"I go for hour-long walks every morning and do some light exercise with weights and a cross-trainer at least three times a week.

"They tell me an elephant has a heart rate of just 28 beats per minute, so I suppose I'm as healthy as an elephant, although I don't know too many personally."