Heart rate bradycardia is lower than normal. Heart rate is determined by a blood test, ECG, or heart monitor. Severe bradycardia (less than 30 beats per minute) can lead to an emergency, which can lead to Lack of oxygen to the brain leads to seizures
Bradycardia means that your heart rate is very slow. Most people have a heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. If your heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute, you have bradycardia. Slow heartbeat is sometimes normal. Some healthy adults and young athletes have a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. Because athletes’ heart pumps are so strong, their heart rate may be lower or it may be lower during sleep. In other people, bradycardia is a sign of a problem with the heart’s electrical system. This means that the heart’s natural pacemaker is not working normally or that the heart’s electrical pathway is disrupted. Thus, the heart can not supply enough blood to the body and this can be life threatening.
Bradycardia can occur for the following reasons:
Diseases that damage the electrical system of the heart. Including: coronary artery disease, heart attack and infectious heart diseases such as endocarditis and myocarditis
* Heart changes caused by aging
Some medications used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, and digoxin.
Complications that weaken the electrical impulse of the heart, such as low thyroid (hypothyroidism) or electrolyte imbalance, such as too much potassium in the blood
Bradycardia may have the following symptoms:
* feeling exhausted
* Feeling of chest pain or palpitations
* Feeling confused or having difficulty concentrating
* Feeling dizzy
* Feeling short of breath, especially when exercising
* Pass out
* Reduce pressure
How is bradycardia diagnosed?
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) at Diagnosis Centers – Bradycardia may not occur at the time of testing. Therefore, the EKG can only detect bradycardia if the arrhythmia recurs during the test.
* Portable ECG – You may need to use a portable EKG. This lightweight device records the events of your heart for a day or more.
Blood tests to find another problem that is lowering your heart rate.
How is bradycardia treated?
Treatment depends on the type, cause and symptoms. If bradycardia is asymptomatic, the patient is usually not treated.
If another medical problem, such as hypothyroidism or electrolyte imbalance, causes a slow heartbeat, treatment may eliminate bradycardia.
If your heart’s electrical system is damaged, you will probably need a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a device that is placed under your skin and helps to correct the heart rate. People over the age of 65 are more likely to develop some form of bradycardia that requires a pacemaker.
If a medicine interferes with your heart rate, your doctor may change the dose or type of medicine. If you can not stop taking the drug, then you need a pacemaker.
What can you do about bradycardia at home?
Bradycardia is often caused by a heart condition, so take steps to improve your heart health. Including :
* Control cholesterol and blood pressure
Eat a low-fat diet and a low-salt diet
* Regular exercise
* Quit Smoking
* Limit alcohol consumption
* Regular use of prescription drugs and disease follow-up
People who use pacemakers should be careful when standing around strong magnetic or electric fields.
Source-Dr. Sardar
