Signs of an unhealthy heart rate? What to do if your heart rate slows down? | Zyla Health

Nida Rehman
Zyla Health
Published in
5 min readMar 23, 2024

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The foundation of overall health is a healthy heart, and heart rate is a critical sign of cardiac health.

The heart rate, expressed in beats per minute (bpm), can reveal important information about how well the circulatory system is functioning.

Although everyone has a different typical heart rate, any notable deviation from the norm could indicate underlying medical problems.

In this blog post, you will find the signs of an unhealthy heart rate or Bradycardia and discuss what to do if your heart rate slows down.

Modular heart in physician’s hand

Understanding Heart Rate:

Understanding the normal range is crucial for spotting symptoms of an abnormal heart rate. Adults have resting heart rates between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm).

However, this range can vary greatly. People who are physically fit and athletes may have lower resting heart rates, occasionally falling below 60 bpm.

On the other hand, heart rate can be influenced by variables such as age, degree of fitness, and general health.

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Now, let’s have a look at the symptoms of Bradycardia, it will help you to identify a low heart rate easily.

Bradycardia (Low Heart Rate) Symptoms:

Persistent Bradycardia:

A heart rate that is chronically lower than usual is called bradycardia. A resting heart rate under 60 bpm may be a sign of inadequate blood flow, a broken cardiac electrical system, or other cardiac problems.

Read more about How to lower cholesterol: Proven ways that work to improve your cardiac health.

Drowsiness and Fatigue:

These symptoms could result from the body not getting enough oxygen when the heart pumps blood inefficiently.

Breathlessness:

Breathing difficulties, particularly when engaging in regular activities, may indicate that the heart is having trouble pumping blood efficiently. It could arise from insufficient oxygen getting to the lungs.

Chest Discomfort:

Although chest pain is frequently linked to a rapid heartbeat, continuous chest pain or pressure, even in the presence of a calm heartbeat, may warrant attention.

Person facing chest pain

Fainting or Near-Fainting Episodes:

Syncope (a sudden decrease in heart rate) is a condition that can cause fainting or near-fainting episodes. Seeking medical assistance is necessary if these episodes are recurring.

Pale or Bluish Skin:

Pale or bluish skin can be a sign of inadequate blood supply (in extremities). This discoloration indicates that the tissues are not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.

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Now you have come to know about the symptoms, you might be curious about knowing the causes of a low heart rate

Causes of Bradycardia

Age-related Changes: The sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, may become less effective with age, resulting in a slower heart rate.

Athletic Conditioning: Because their cardiovascular systems are so highly efficient, well-conditioned athletes — especially those who compete in endurance sports like swimming, cycling, etc. — may suffer bradycardia. Frequently, this is a typical physiological adjustment.

Heart Block: Heart block is the result of delayed or blocked electrical signals between the ventricles and atria.

Failure of the Sinoatrial (SA) Node: The electrical impulses in the heart are started by the SA node. Dysfunction may result in bradycardia.

Hypothyroidism: A thyroid gland that is not functioning at full capacity can slow metabolism, impacting heart rate among other body functions.

Imbalances in Electrolytes: Excessive concentrations of electrolytes, including calcium or potassium, might interfere with the electrical impulses that control heart rate.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Those who have this condition and are not treated may have breathing disruptions during the night, which can cause bradycardia.

Medication: Slowing down the heart rate is a side effect of various drugs, including beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, and some calcium channel blockers.

Congenital Heart problems: Bradycardia can result from congenital heart problems that impact the electrical circuits and anatomy of the heart.

Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, frequently brought on by viral infections, can cause bradycardia by interfering with the heart’s electrical function.

Lifestyle Factors: By adversely affecting the cardiovascular system, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and illegal drug usage can all lead to bradycardia.

Understood the causes? Now It’s crucial to know about the symptoms of bradycardia if you want to prevent bradycardia effectively.

Treatment of Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Seek professional help:

It’s important to get help if you continue to suffer symptoms of a low heart rate. To measure your heart’s electrical activity over time, they might suggest diagnostic procedures like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or ambulatory monitoring.

Physician checking heart rate.

Follow a Healthy Lifestyle:

Enhancing cardiovascular health can be largely attributed to leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a healthy, fruit- and vegetable-rich diet, staying hydrated, and abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol use.

Medication Management:

To control cardiac rhythm and rate, doctors may occasionally prescribe medication. Antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers are typical pharmaceuticals used to treat heart rate problems like CVD or High BP. It’s critical to take prescription drugs exactly as advised by your doctor.

Pacemaker Implantation:

A physician may advise the pacemaker to be implanted in patients with severe bradycardia, in which the heart rate is dangerously low. A pacemaker is a little gadget that works with the heart’s rhythm to maintain a healthy heart rate by delivering electrical impulses.

Regular Follow-Ups:

Consultation with a healthcare provider regularly is crucial if a low heart rate is diagnosed.

Takeaway

Critical elements of continuing care include keeping an eye on your heart health, modifying your lifestyle as needed, and altering your medication as needed.

An essential component of general well-being is a healthy heart rate, thus variations from the norm shouldn’t be disregarded.

Maintaining cardiac health requires being aware of the warning signals of low heart rate and acting to prevent it.

To ensure a robust and healthy cardiovascular system, it is essential to collaborate with healthcare providers and implement lifestyle modifications, drugs, or medical procedures.

Keep in mind that your heart is the foundation of your health, and maintaining it is essential to living a long and happy life.

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