Causes and Treatment of Bradycardia

Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Bradycardia can be seen in healthy individuals, especially athletes, and also during sleep. If caused by a pathological condition, there may be organic heart disease, particularly in patients with acute myocardial infarction. If such a condition causes a significant decrease in cardiac output, affecting the blood supply to vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, then drugs like atropine or even intravenous drip of isoproterenol are used to increase the heart rate. Oral theophylline may be considered under general conditions. For severe sinus bradycardia leading to syncope where drug treatment is ineffective, it is recommended to install a permanent artificial cardiac pacemaker to prevent sudden sinus arrest.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute, which is considered bradycardia?

A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is clinically diagnosed as bradycardia. Bradycardia can occur in normal, healthy individuals as well as in patients with organic heart disease. In young adults, heavy laborers, and athletes who often exercise, the heart rate is generally below 60 beats per minute without any clinical symptoms, and it does not pose a risk to the body. This slower heart rate serves as a protection for the heart. In patients with organic heart disease, a significant decrease in heart rate can lead to clinical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and feeling of apprehension, necessitating the adjustment of heart rate under the guidance of a doctor using effective medications.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Can digitalis poisoning cause bradycardia?

Digitalis toxicity can cause bradycardia. Digitalis is an inhibitor of the sodium-potassium ATPase, which affects the transfer of sodium and potassium in cells, leading to electrolyte disturbances and arrhythmias. Common arrhythmias include premature beats, bradycardia, and conduction blocks, and severe cases may experience sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, in patients with heart failure, it is important to closely monitor the blood concentration of digitalis during long-term use, and adjust the dosage of digoxin and digitalis based on its concentration to avoid toxicity. Once toxicity occurs, the first step is to stop the medication and then take appropriate symptomatic treatment to prevent accidents.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What are the dangers of bradycardia?

If the bradycardia is physiological, it generally does not harm the body and does not require special treatment. If the bradycardia is pathological, when the heartbeat significantly slows down, it can cause a decrease in cardiac output due to the slow heart rate, leading to symptoms of insufficient cardiac output, insufficient blood supply to the brain which can cause dizziness, visual disturbance, fainting, and other symptoms. Insufficient coronary artery supply can induce angina, and insufficient perfusion of the kidneys can lead to reduced urine output and kidney damage. Therefore, if a patient with bradycardia has a slow heart rate that leads to obvious symptoms, it is necessary to install a pacemaker for pacing treatment to increase the heart rate.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of bradycardia?

The normal heart rate for an adult is between 60-140 beats per minute. If it falls below 60 beats per minute, it is generally referred to as bradycardia. Most patients with bradycardia may not have symptoms, but those who do should be closely monitored. The symptoms of bradycardia mainly arise from a reduced cardiac output, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain, thereby causing symptoms. Patients may experience dizziness, fatigue, poor mental performance, and other symptoms. Some patients may experience dizziness, transient blackouts before the eyes, fatigue, palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, patients may also experience fainting.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Heart failure is neither tachycardia nor bradycardia.

Heart failure refers to the condition in which the heart's pumping function is relatively or absolutely insufficient, resulting in a series of symptoms. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and sometimes even cyanosis of the lips. Severe cases can lead to sudden death. Tachycardia and bradycardia are only due to disturbances in the patient's cardiac conduction system, causing the heart rate to accelerate or slow down. If the patient's heart function is good, the majority can compensate. However, prolonged tachycardia or prolonged bradycardia can potentially lead to heart failure. Therefore, heart failure is different from tachycardia or bradycardia.