Bradycardia: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Bradycardia
| image          = [[File:Sinus_bradycardia_lead2.svg|left|thumb|Sinus bradycardia as seen on [[ECG]]]]
| caption        = Sinus bradycardia as seen on [[ECG]]
| field          = [[Cardiology]]
| synonyms        = Bradyarrhythmia, bradycardiac rhythm
| symptoms        = [[Dizziness]], [[fatigue]], [[shortness of breath]], [[chest pain]], [[syncope]]
| complications  = [[Heart failure]], [[cardiac arrest]]
| onset          = Can occur at any age
| duration        = Varies
| causes          = [[Heart block]], [[sick sinus syndrome]], [[hypothyroidism]], [[electrolyte imbalance]], [[medications]]
| risks          = [[Age]], [[heart disease]], [[high blood pressure]], [[smoking]], [[alcohol use disorder]]
| diagnosis      = [[Electrocardiogram]] (ECG), [[Holter monitor]], [[event monitor]]
| differential    = [[Tachycardia]], [[atrial fibrillation]], [[ventricular tachycardia]]
| treatment      = [[Pacemaker]], [[medication adjustment]], [[lifestyle changes]]
| medication      = [[Atropine]], [[isoproterenol]]
| frequency      = Common, especially in older adults
| deaths          = Can be life-threatening if untreated
}}
'''Bradycardia''' is a medical term used to describe a slower than normal heart rate. In adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute often qualifies as bradycardia. This condition can be a symptom of underlying health issues, or a side effect of certain medications, but it is also commonly observed in trained athletes with efficient cardiovascular systems.
'''Bradycardia''' is a medical term used to describe a slower than normal heart rate. In adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute often qualifies as bradycardia. This condition can be a symptom of underlying health issues, or a side effect of certain medications, but it is also commonly observed in trained athletes with efficient cardiovascular systems.
[[File:Lead II rhythm generated sinus bradycardia.JPG|Lead II rhythm generated sinus bradycardia|thumb]]
[[File:Lead II rhythm generated sinus bradycardia.JPG|Lead II rhythm generated sinus bradycardia|left|thumb]]
== Definition and Classification ==
== Definition and Classification ==
Bradycardia is typically defined as a resting heart rate under 60 beats per minute (bpm) in adults.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474|title=Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref> It's important to note that a slow heart rate is not inherently problematic and does not always indicate a medical condition. For example, well-conditioned athletes often exhibit bradycardia, as physical training makes the heart more efficient.
Bradycardia is typically defined as a resting heart rate under 60 beats per minute (bpm) in adults.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474|title=Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref> It's important to note that a slow heart rate is not inherently problematic and does not always indicate a medical condition. For example, well-conditioned athletes often exhibit bradycardia, as physical training makes the heart more efficient.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Bradycardia can result from a variety of causes, including:
Bradycardia can result from a variety of causes, including:
* '''[[Heart Disease]]:''' Conditions that damage the heart’s electrical system can slow the heart rate.
* '''[[Heart Disease]]:''' Conditions that damage the heart’s electrical system can slow the heart rate.
* '''[[Hypothyroidism]]:''' An underactive thyroid can cause a slow heart rate.
* '''[[Hypothyroidism]]:''' An underactive thyroid can cause a slow heart rate.
* '''[[Electrolyte Imbalance]]:''' Imbalances in electrolyte levels, particularly potassium and calcium, can affect the heart's electrical signaling.
* '''[[Electrolyte Imbalance]]:''' Imbalances in electrolyte levels, particularly potassium and calcium, can affect the heart's electrical signaling.
* '''[[Medications]]:''' Certain drugs, such as beta-blockers and some heart medications, can cause bradycardia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474|title=Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
* '''[[Medications]]:''' Certain drugs, such as beta-blockers and some heart medications, can cause bradycardia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474|title=Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
[[File:12 lead sinus bradycardia.JPG|thumb|12 lead sinus bradycardia]]
[[File:12 lead sinus bradycardia.JPG|left|thumb|12 lead sinus bradycardia]]
== Symptoms and Complications ==
== Symptoms and Complications ==
While bradycardia itself often doesn't cause symptoms, if the heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, symptoms may occur. These can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiac arrest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/bradycardia--slow-heart-rate|title=Bradycardia - Slow Heart Rate|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
While bradycardia itself often doesn't cause symptoms, if the heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, symptoms may occur. These can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiac arrest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/bradycardia--slow-heart-rate|title=Bradycardia - Slow Heart Rate|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
Diagnosis of bradycardia typically involves a physical examination, patient history, and the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity. If necessary, a Holter monitor may be used to record the heart's activity over 24 hours.
Diagnosis of bradycardia typically involves a physical examination, patient history, and the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity. If necessary, a Holter monitor may be used to record the heart's activity over 24 hours.
Treatment of bradycardia depends on its underlying cause. If medication is the cause, adjusting or changing the medication can resolve the issue. If a physical condition is causing bradycardia, treating that condition can alleviate the bradycardia. In some cases, the installation of a pacemaker might be required to regulate the heart rate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355479|title=Bradycardia - Diagnosis and treatment|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
Treatment of bradycardia depends on its underlying cause. If medication is the cause, adjusting or changing the medication can resolve the issue. If a physical condition is causing bradycardia, treating that condition can alleviate the bradycardia. In some cases, the installation of a pacemaker might be required to regulate the heart rate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355479|title=Bradycardia - Diagnosis and treatment|date=2021|access-date=2023-05-18}}</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 19:40, 4 April 2025

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Bradycardia
Sinus bradycardia as seen on ECG
Synonyms Bradyarrhythmia, bradycardiac rhythm
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, syncope
Complications Heart failure, cardiac arrest
Onset Can occur at any age
Duration Varies
Types N/A
Causes Heart block, sick sinus syndrome, hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalance, medications
Risks Age, heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol use disorder
Diagnosis Electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor, event monitor
Differential diagnosis Tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia
Prevention N/A
Treatment Pacemaker, medication adjustment, lifestyle changes
Medication Atropine, isoproterenol
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common, especially in older adults
Deaths Can be life-threatening if untreated


Bradycardia is a medical term used to describe a slower than normal heart rate. In adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute often qualifies as bradycardia. This condition can be a symptom of underlying health issues, or a side effect of certain medications, but it is also commonly observed in trained athletes with efficient cardiovascular systems.

Lead II rhythm generated sinus bradycardia

Definition and Classification[edit]

Bradycardia is typically defined as a resting heart rate under 60 beats per minute (bpm) in adults.<ref>

Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes(link). {{{website}}}.

2021.

Accessed 2023-05-18.


</ref> It's important to note that a slow heart rate is not inherently problematic and does not always indicate a medical condition. For example, well-conditioned athletes often exhibit bradycardia, as physical training makes the heart more efficient.

Causes[edit]

Bradycardia can result from a variety of causes, including:

  • Heart Disease: Conditions that damage the heart‚Äôs electrical system can slow the heart rate.
  • Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid can cause a slow heart rate.
  • Electrolyte Imbalance: Imbalances in electrolyte levels, particularly potassium and calcium, can affect the heart's electrical signaling.
  • Medications: Certain drugs, such as beta-blockers and some heart medications, can cause bradycardia.<ref>

Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes(link). {{{website}}}.

2021.

Accessed 2023-05-18.


</ref>

12 lead sinus bradycardia

Symptoms and Complications[edit]

While bradycardia itself often doesn't cause symptoms, if the heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, symptoms may occur. These can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiac arrest.<ref>

Bradycardia - Slow Heart Rate(link). {{{website}}}.

2021.

Accessed 2023-05-18.


</ref>

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]

Diagnosis of bradycardia typically involves a physical examination, patient history, and the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity. If necessary, a Holter monitor may be used to record the heart's activity over 24 hours. Treatment of bradycardia depends on its underlying cause. If medication is the cause, adjusting or changing the medication can resolve the issue. If a physical condition is causing bradycardia, treating that condition can alleviate the bradycardia. In some cases, the installation of a pacemaker might be required to regulate the heart rate.<ref>

Bradycardia - Diagnosis and treatment(link). {{{website}}}.

2021.

Accessed 2023-05-18.


</ref>

References[edit]

<references />

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