Bradycardia (Slow Heartbeat)

Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that can be a result of several causes.

Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) is when the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, while the normal heartbeat is 60-100 beats per minute. However, some cases of bradycardia aren’t considered an issue, like in athletes and healthy young adults, and it’s common during sleep as well.

Causes and risk factors of bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

• Aging can cause changes in the heart’s conduction system.
• Heart problems, such as heart attack, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and a congenital heart defect.
• Complications from heart procedures, such as catheter ablation and valve surgery.
• Inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever, or lupus.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Amyloidosis and hemochromatosis.
• Electrolyte imbalance, like in potassium or calcium.
• Infections, such as diphtheria, Lyme disease, and toxoplasmosis.
• Medications, such as sedatives, opioids, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs.
• The risk of bradycardia (slow heartbeat) increases due to the following factors: age after 70, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, stress, anxiety, and illegal drug use.

Symptoms of bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

A low heart rate may not cause symptoms in many cases, which include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Fainting.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Confusion or problems with concentrating.
• Heart palpitations.
• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) can lead to recurrent fainting, sudden cardiac arrest, or sudden cardiac death.

Diagnosis of bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

• Heart tests.
• Blood tests.

Treatment of bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

Treating bradycardia (slow heartbeat) depends on the symptoms and their severity, and the treatments include:

• Following a healthy lifestyle.
• Changing the medications and treating the underlying cause.
• Pacemaker in some cases.
• The risk of slow heart rate can be reduced by exercising regularly, following a healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.