Approximately one out of every hundred people worldwide suffers from an abnormally low heart rate, a condition known as bradycardia, which can be dangerous for human health, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The latest meta-analysis published in the European Heart Journal indicates that individuals over 50 years old face a 40% higher risk of cardiovascular events if they have bradycardia. This emphasizes the increased significance of understanding and managing this condition, particularly with the aging global population.
“Behind all the numbers, real people are dealing with the challenges of the day. Take Sarah, for example, a 45-year-old marketing executive. She was puzzled by bouts of fatigue and occasional dizziness. During a routine check-up, her doctor noticed that her heart rate was below 60 beats per minute.
“Sarah’s case is not isolated. Most patients with bradycardia ignore their symptoms and attribute them to some other cause, like tiredness or stress, without knowing about the heart problem they are suffering from. Her story thus becomes an important example of the need for regular check-ups and awareness of this simple yet commonly overlooked condition.”
Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate, affecting millions worldwide. In fact, a report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that clinically significant bradycardia occurs in around 3% of the general population[1]. Although this number sounds pretty small, it adds up to millions of people around the world, which means there is a significant health issue in the form of bradycardia.
What Is Bradycardia?
Bradycardia is a condition whereby an adult’s heart beats less than 60 times in one minute at rest. This slow frequency may lead to the body failing to receive sufficient blood that is well-oxygenated, and there may be several symptoms and complications resulting from it.
A meta-analysis from the European Heart Journal revealed that bradycardia was linked to 40% higher cardiovascular events among the adult population over 50 years [2]. Such a statistic underlines the importance of knowing and managing this condition properly.
What Causes Bradycardia?
Many causes lead to bradycardia. These include:
1. Problem with heart’s electrical system due to aging
2. Damage to heart tissue due to heart disease or heart attack.
3. Certain heart medications that can cause bradycardia as a side effect
4. Congenital Heart defects
5. Hypothyroidism
6. Electrolyte imbalance
7. Sleep apnea
It is essential to note that some people, especially well-conditioned athletes, can be born with a slow heart rate that does not cause them any problems.
Bradycardia Symptoms
The symptoms of bradycardia can vary widely from person to person. They are defined as:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dizziness and faintness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion and impaired memory
It can cause easy tiring in physical activities.
Severe bradycardia may progress into fainting, followed by cardiac arrest or even death due to improper treatment.
How to Diagnose Bradycardia?
The diagnosis of bradycardia is usually carried out through the following stages.
- Physical examination: The doctor checks your pulse and blood pressure.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This will record the electrical activity of your heart.
- Holter monitor: A portable ECG device you carry for 24 to 48 hours to record your heart rhythm.
- Event recorder: Similar to a Holter monitor, but used for longer periods.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of your heart looking for structural abnormalities.
- Exercise stress test: Shows what happens during exercise.
- Blood tests: Look for underlying conditions like thyroid disorders.
Bradycardia Treatment
As with all treatments, what’s needed would depend on the cause, as well as the severity of symptoms. It could entail:
- Treatment of underlying conditions: Hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, etc.
- Medication adjustments: Either substitution or withdrawal of medications causing bradycardia.
- Pacemaker implantation: A small apparatus that helps restore a healthy heart rhythm.
- Lifestyle modifications: Engaging in regular exercise and a healthy diet for the heart.
With such adjustments in medication and lifestyle, Sarah’s bradycardia was successfully managed and it enhanced her quality of life to a considerable extent.
Difference between Tachycardia and Bradycardia
While bradycardia refers to a heart rate that’s too slow, tachycardia is a condition in which the heart rate is too fast, typically over 100 beats per minute during rest. Both conditions can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body, but they offer unique challenges for the treatments.
Consult your Doctor
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have:
- Recurring episodes of a slow heart rate
- Fainting spells
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain over a few minutes
Bradycardia can be diagnosed early and treatment initiated to prevent complications or with regards to overall health outcome.
Understanding bradycardia, therefore, is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Recognizing the signs and symptoms and seeking early medical attention might enable people like Sarah to effectively treat the condition and therefore lead to a high quality of life. As advancement in research continues, there can be expected treatment.
References
[1] Benjamin EJ, et al. (2018). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 137(12), e67-e492.
[2] Jensen MT, et al. (2013). Resting heart rate is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality after adjusting for inflammatory markers: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 20(6), 1049-1057.
Bradycardia FAQs
Can bradycardia be prevented?
Some causes of bradycardia cannot be prevented, but you can reduce the risk of developing bradycardia through healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol.
Is bradycardia dangerous at all?
No, not strictly. Low heart rate is a common finding in some athletes and young adults. If it does not present problems and is not linked to a disease, the individual will probably experience no complications.
However, if bradycardia presents with symptoms or is associated with another illness or disease process, it can be serious and even life-threatening, and treatment is necessary.
Does bradycardia occur in children?
Yes, bradycardia in children; occurs most often from congenital heart defects or other medical problems. Heart rate for children is typically a little higher than for adults, so the definition of bradycardia in children varies by age.
Does bradycardia limit exercise tolerance?
This can limit the heart's ability to increase its rate during physical activity, which may further result in reduced exercise tolerance, fatigue, and shortness of breath during exertion.
Can lifestyle changes alone treat bradycardia?
While lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and stress reduction in conjunction with dietary changes, are indeed beneficial for the management of the milder forms of bradycardia, the severe forms usually need an alteration in medication or placement of a pacemaker.
