Bradycardia – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Bradycardia is the condition wherein the heart rate is slower than normal. The normal heart rate of an adult at rest is between 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). During sleep, the heart rate can slow down normally to 40 to 60 bpm. Thus, a heart rate lower than 60 bpm even when you are awake and active means you have bradycardia. This disease can negatively affect the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. This condition can be a result of extreme fitness, arrythmia or irregular heartbeats, hypothyroidism, damage in the heart, electrolyte imbalance, and certain side effects of medication. Other causes of bradycardia include congenital heart disease, natural aging process, scar tissue from a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome, and heart block.

Known risks and symptoms of bradycardia

There are several known side effects of bradycardia. A person with bradycardia may feel dizzy or lightheaded, short of breath, tired, and find it more difficult to exercise. In addition, he or she may have chest pain or a feeling that the heart is pounding or palpitating, feel confused or find it difficult to concentrate, and may faint — if a slow heart rate causes a drop in blood pressure.

Body systems harmed by bradycardia

Bradycardia is a health issue concerning the heart. The main body system that is harmed by bradycardia is the cardiovascular system.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent bradycardia

According to an entry published on the website LiveStrong.com, foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as whole-grain oats, wheat, brown rice, bulgar, or buckwheat are beneficial to a person with bradycardia. In addition, foods that are low in fat, low in sodium, and high in fiber are beneficial to people with bradycardia. Furthermore, minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also helpful for proper heart function.

Treatments, management plans for bradycardia

Bradycardia can be treated depending on its symptoms and what is causing it. For instance, your heart rate slows down when there’s a block in the heart’s electrical pathways; a pacemaker may be needed to control how quickly your heart chambers pump blood, sending electrical signals to your heart to treat the abnormal rhythm. If a medicine is causing the heart to beat too slowly, adjust or stop taking that medicine.

The disease can be prevented by practicing healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising, walking, aqua exercise and cycling, having a healthy diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, not abusing drugs, maintaining a healthy weight, managing other medical conditions, managing stress, and visiting your health provider for regular check-ups.

Where to learn more

Summary

Bradycardia is the condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal.

Bradycardia may cause side effects such as dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty in exercising, tiredness, chest pain, pounding heart, confusion, and fainting.

Bradycardia mainly affects the cardiovascular system.

Foods rich in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and fibers may help prevent bradycardia.

Bradycardia can be treated with the use of a pacemaker.

Bradycardia can be managed by practicing a healthy lifestyle.

Sources include:

HealthDirect.gov.au

Health.CleavelandClinic.org