Bradycardia is a heart disorder in which the heart beats drop lower than the normal level. The treatment of the disorder depends on the cause and the seriousness of the symptom.
What is Bradycardia?
Bradycardia is the heart rate which is slower than the normal heart rate. A healthy individual has a heart rate between 60 and 100 times but, if a person suffers from bradycardia the heart beat rate drops to lower than 60 times.
Bradycardia can pose serious threat for the patient as the body will stop receiving blood in sufficient quantity.
What are the Symptoms?
When a person suffers from bradycardia their vital organs stop receiving proper blood supply. This results into the following symptoms:
- Falling unconscious
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Pain in the chest
- Memory problems
Slow Heart Rate can be Normal Too
There are several conditions in which a slow heart rate is considered to be normal, for example in cases of young adults and athletes. This group is believed to indulge into many physical activities hence bradycardia is not considered to be a health problem.
When to Seek Medical Help?
There are many signs and symptoms which may look like that of bradycardia. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help as soon as you notice signs. Whenever you feel breathlessness or fall unconscious you must seek medical help immediately.
Who is at Risk?
Age plays a significant role in putting a person at the risk of heart problems like bradycardia. Often older adults suffer from heart disorders. Besides ages there are several other factors which can put a person at the risk, like:
- High blood pressure patients
- Smokers
- Alcoholics
- Recreational drug user
- People suffering from stress or anxiety
Prognosis for Bradycardia
The treatment of bradycardia depends upon electrical conduction problem, the seriousness of the symptoms, and the causes of slow heart rate. If a person suffers from the disorder due to an underlying problem like hypothyroidism or obstructive sleep apnea the treatment includes correcting bradycardia.
A bradycardia patient may also be put on pacemaker which a device which is implanted under the collarbone.