* RHYTHM
Bradycardia is a heart rhythm disorder. It happens when your heart rate falls below 50 beats per minute, which is slower than normal.
Though it can be harmless, in some cases it may be life- threatening. For certain people — mostly young adults and trained athletes — a slow heart rate is normal and doesn’t cause any symptoms or health problems. Being very athletic and physically fit can lead to the heart pumping more efficiently so it doesn’t need to beat as many times a minute to meet the body’s needs. Your heart also tends to naturally beat more slowly during sleep.
For others, bradycardia can cause symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting, which a healthcare provider should look into and treat. The body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs because the heart’s pumping action is slowed. Your heart’s electrical system controls when your heart contracts and pumps blood out to your body. If you have bradycardia, these signals are sluggish, or they become
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Managing & treating bradycardia blocked in some way.
Slow Beat
Bradycardia can be caused by a sinus node dysfunction, which means the heart’s natural pacemaker isn’t working properly. A second cause is heart block. In those cases, the electrical connection between the upper and the lower chambers of the heart doesn’t work as it’s supposed to. This makes the lower chamber that pumps blood out of the heart beat slowly.
Signs & Symptoms
If your heart beats slowly enough that your brain and other organs don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, your body may quickly tell you something is awry. Symptoms may include:
v Feeling dizzy, weak or lightheaded. v Fainting. v Tiring easily. v Being short of breath, especially with exertion.
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