Bradycardia - Know The Complications Behind It!

When you a heart rate that is slower than normal then you are said to be suffering from bradycardia. The normal heart rate for adults falls somewhere between 60-100 beats every minute. When you are a victim of bradycardia then your heart beats less than 60 times every minute.

This condition can turn out to be a serious problem because the body won’t receive oxygenated blood from the heart. The best treatment for this condition is to get a pacemaker implanted. 

What are the symptoms of bradycardia?

When you have this condition then various organs in the body does not receive enough oxygen. Then you may observe the following symptoms –

• Fainting

• Breathing problems

• Pain in the chest

• Dizziness

• Easily exhausted

• Confusion and problems with remembering

What causes bradycardia?

The following factors can cause bradycardia –

• A congenital heart disorder

• Ageing-related to heart problem

• Heart surgery complications

• Hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid gland

• Inflammatory conditions like lupus

• Heart tissue damage from a heart attack or heart disease

Electrical issues of the heart 

The chambers of the heart communicate with one another by means of electrical signals. The natural pacemaker of the heart regulates this electrical system. If for some reason, the heart does not send the right electrical signals then you get bradycardia.

Heart medication

Certain medications prescribed for heart conditions and blood pressure might lower your heart rate. 

Hypoxia

When you don’t get sufficient oxygen, then you are suffering from hypoxia. This condition is known to slow the heart rate down.

What are the risk factors of bradycardia?

The most important risk factor is age. Older adults are at a higher risk of this condition. 

In addition, these factors may also increase your risk of bradycardia –

• High blood pressure

• Excessive drinking

• Stress and anxiety

What are the complications of bradycardia?

The complications of bradycardia are –

• Cardiac arrest

• Fainting frequently 

• The heart will not pump blood

Treatments 

The primary treatment for this condition is a pacemaker implant. A battery-operated electronic device is implanted below your collarbone. A connection is made from the device to your heart with the help of wires through your veins. There are electrodes at one end of the wires that are attached to the tissues of your heart. This allows the pacemaker to regulate the electric impulse of the heart at the normal rate. 

If the source of your slow heart is medications then you will be asked to discontinue the medicines.