diff --git a/IPython/parallel/controller/heartmonitor.py b/IPython/parallel/controller/heartmonitor.py
index 639998f..a27536b 100755
--- a/IPython/parallel/controller/heartmonitor.py
+++ b/IPython/parallel/controller/heartmonitor.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class HeartMonitor(LoggingConfigurable):
     pongstream: an XREP stream
     period: the period of the heartbeat in milliseconds"""
 
-    period = Integer(1000, config=True,
+    period = Integer(3000, config=True,
         help='The frequency at which the Hub pings the engines for heartbeats '
         '(in ms)',
     )