Under normal circumstances, a person’s heart will typically beat between 60 and 100 times each minute when the body is at rest. Bradycardia is a type of heart rhythm disorder where the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute.
While not everyone with bradycardia requires treatment, the condition can cause serious complications in some. In some cases, advanced surgical intervention may be necessary to regulate the heart rate.
Not everyone with bradycardia has symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include the following:
These health effects are caused by decreased oxygen, which can impact the brain, lungs, and other organs. In the event that breathing is severely restricted or you experience prolonged chest pain, emergency medical attention is needed.
Heart disease, congenital heart defects, and other cardiac conditions can cause abnormalities in a person’s heart rate. Bradycardia may also result from other diseases, such as lupus, as well as health conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea. Medications (including blood pressure drugs), previous heart surgery, and hypothyroidism are other possible causes to consider.
If you experience symptoms of bradycardia, doctors can use physical exams, blood tests, and electrocardiograms to assess the health of your heart. You may also be asked to wear a Holter monitor, which is a portable electrocardiogram device that can gauge your heart rate over the course of a day or longer.
If a diagnosis of bradycardia is made, treating any underlying health conditions and disorders can help remedy the issue. Similarly, your doctor may need to take a look at the medications you are taking to determine if they are playing a role. Some people require the implantation of a pacemaker, which can correct an abnormally slow heartbeat.
Along with the above treatments, doctors may recommend that you maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise on a regular basis. Also, people with heart conditions should avoid smoking and limit their alcohol intake, as they can negatively affect heart health. Stress can also cause issues with one’s heart, so be sure to minimize it as much as possible in your daily life.