Understanding your Heart - Bradycardia

Though it may sound concerning, bradycardia, a disease marked by a slow heartbeat, is more common and less harmful than most people realize. In a healthy adult, the heart beats 60–100 times per minute on average. A person's heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute when they have bradycardia. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, disorientation, memory problems, and chest pain, though they don't always create problems.

Many things can cause bradycardia such as electrolyte deficiencies, anorexia nervosa, inflammation of the heart, infections such as strep, and more.

Typically people over the age of 65 develop bradycardia as their body gets weaker, but bradycardia is also often present in those who are super active physically, which includes all age groups. Athletes tend to have bradycardia as their heart pumps blood more efficiently and meets all their bodily needs. Most patients who do have bradycardia don't notice or show any symptoms of it and can live their life as is, making this condition not a huge concern. Bradycardia can also be genetic meaning a person can be born with it with varying intensities. Overall it's important to catch the early signs of bradycardia in order to see how severe it is and to take preventative measures. Tests often are needed to diagnose bradycardia and typically include a basic physical examination and/or EKG. Along with this a doctor will likely test for electrolyte levels, thyroid hormone levels, troponin levels, and do a toxicology screening.

Bradycardia caused my medication and stressors can be treated completely without it coming back, but bradycardia that is either genetic or caused my other issues in the body are harder to treat 100%. Some treatments include IV drip with medications such as atropine, temporary pacing devices that send electrical currents to speed up your heart rate, or permanent pacemaker which is reserved for more severe cases and essentially controls the pace of a persons heart. A permanent pacemaker cannot cure this condition but can allow a person to live life as normally as possible and help someone live longer.

Living with bradycardia might seem scary and life threatening but thanks to the scientists and doctors all over the world there are cures and treatments for this condition. Bradycardia is common with 1 in 600 adults over 65 having it and most of the time its harmless and unnoticeable. When symptoms present itself, seeking a medical professionals help is the best thing to do to ensure a long, healthy life.

Sources: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/bradycardia--slow-heart-rate

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17841-bradycardia https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474

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