Bradycardia: Is Your Heart Beating Slower Than It Should?

Cardiology | by Dr. Rakesh Sarkar | Published on 10/03/2021

Having a slow heart rate is normal in healthy adults and trained athletes, however, if you do not fall in any of these categories, you need help. Normally, a heart beats around 60 to 100 times in a minute, however, people suffering from bradycardia have a heart rate much slower than what is considered normal. This means that the heart is not pumping blood efficiently, which can prove to be life-threatening as there is a deficiency of oxygenated blood in the body. People suffering from the condition require immediate medical help so as to effectively treat the problem before it induces any major complications. People suffering from the condition require a pacemaker, a tiny battery-driven device that helps to control their heartbeat. Pacemaker implantation is offered at all the leading heart hospitals in Kolkata.

Signs that indicate that your heart is beating too slow

As your heart is beating too slowly, your organs might not get enough oxygen and this can prevent them from functioning normally. Here are a few signs and symptoms related to bradycardia, as listed by experts from the best cardiac center in Kolkata.

• Syncope or fainting
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• General body weakness and fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Angina or frequent chest pain
• Confusion
• Problems with memory

If you experience any of these, it does not necessarily mean that you have bradycardia. In fact, there can be many other health issues that can induce somewhat similar symptoms. Hence, it is better to get yourself evaluated before reaching any conclusion.

What causes bradycardia?

Bradycardia is usually a result of disturbed electrical circuitry, atrioventricular blockage, or problems with the sinus node, which may be triggered by any of the following:

• Severe damage to the heart tissue owing to age-related wear and tear, injury or underlying medical ailment
• Congenital heart problems that are left untreated
• Myocarditis, which is marked by chronic infection in the heart tissue
• A complication of a major heart surgery
• Hypothyroidism
• The abnormal chemical balance in the blood
• Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by frequent disruption of breathing while you are asleep
• Inflammatory diseases like lupus and rheumatic disorder
• A side-effect of certain medicines

What can you do to prevent bradycardia?

Though you cannot completely prevent bradycardia, you can bring down the risks of the same by resorting to some healthy lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips from experts known for implanting pacemakers.

• Keep an eye on the scale. Excess body weight can increase your vulnerability to a wide spectrum of heart diseases, including bradycardia. Set healthy weight goals and commit yourself to achieving these.
• Resort to healthy dietary changes. Whatever you eat has a very deep impact on your heart. Hence it is very important to plan your diet accordingly. Choose home-cooked food over-packaged and fast food. Go through the ingredients and nutrition value chart before buying your groceries.
• Manage healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This can be done easily by following all the guidelines recommended by your doctor and taking the prescribed medication.
• Refrain from smoking. The use of tobacco and other related products can drastically impact your health. Hence it is important to give up the practice to avoid any unnecessary damage to your heart.
• Drink in moderation. Excessive consumption of alcohol can severely damage your heart, hence it is important to drink in moderation. However, before doing so, consult your doctor once.
• Avoid using recreational drugs. These are not only bad for your heart but your body as a whole. If you are addicted to these, you might need some help in getting rid of the habit