When to Worry About Low Heart Rate?

Bradycardia Explained: Signs of a Dangerously Slow Heartbeat

Low heart rate in older adults can be normal (e.g., athletes or due to medications). It’s only concerning if symptomatic or linked to specific pathologies.. Bodies tend to get slower as you age, and our heart also slows down with age. Age-related bradycardia requires evaluation if symptomatic or sudden. If you have less than 60 bpm when in a resting condition, it is considered low. Keep reading to know more about the condition, causes, symptoms and other information.

What is bradycardia?

It is a condition under which one experiences a slow heart rate. The normal heart rate of an adult ranges between 60 and 100 bpm. However, if your heartbeat is below 60 times a minute, you are suffering from bradycardia. It is a serious problem because the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood across the body.

What are the symptoms of bradycardia?

A slow heartbeat directly impacts other organs and the brain. Here is a list of some symptoms that you can observe due to a low heart rate:

• Chest Pain
• Being forgetful, confused, or having memory problems
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Feeling lethargic or tired
• Fainting or near-fainting
• Shortness of breath

What Causes Bradycardia?

Bradycardia indicates certain underlying issues:

• Damage to heart tissue due to ageing
• Heart tissue damage due to a heart attack or some other heart disease
• If you are born with a condition, a congenital heart defect
• Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart tissue
• Having a complication during heart surgery
• Hypothyroidism, when your thyroid gland is underperforming
• Lack of essential body minerals such as potassium or calcium
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (a sleeping disorder)
• Having an inflammatory disease like rheumatic fever or lupus
• Certain medications like sedatives, opioids, or those that treat mental health or heart conditions

What are the risk factors of bradycardia?

Since this condition is a result of heart damage from some form of disease. Anything that triggers the risk of a heart problem increases the risk of bradycardia:

• Older age
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Consuming alcohol
• Drug abuse
• Experiencing stress and anxiety

Possible complications that one can face due to a low heart rate:

• Cardiac arrest
• Frequently fainting
• Sudden cardiac death

How to Prevent Bradycardia?

Taking measures that lower the risk of getting heart disease eventually reduces the chances of bradycardia:

• Exercising Regularly: It allows better blood flow across the body. Exercises like strength training, cardio and others are beneficial in maintaining heart health.
• Having a Balanced Diet: Ensure that your meals are nutritious and are low in salt and solid fats. Eat more seasonal fruits and vegetables along with whole grains.
• Monitoring Your Weight: Being overweight increases the chances of heart disease. Keep a check on your body mass index (BMI) and eat accordingly.
• Controlling Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels: Having high levels of blood pressure or cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Make the necessary life changes to ensure that your blood pressure and cholesterol are in check.
• Quit Smoking: You can always reach out to an expert if you need help quitting your habit of smoking.
• Limiting Alcohol Consumption: Moderation is the key when consuming alcohol. The AHA recommends ≤1 drink/day for women, ≤2 for men, but notes that no amount is "ideal" for heart health. Alcohol can exacerbate arrhythmias (including bradycardia).
• Stress Management: If you are someone who experiences extreme emotions, it might have an impact on your heart. It is crucial to get more exercise and practise mindfulness to manage stress.
• Quality Sleep: Having a poor sleep cycle is responsible for heart diseases and other chronic health issues. For an adult, a 7- to 9-hoursleep cycle is crucial.

Having a low heart rate for a long time, an expert intervention is necessary.