Slow Heartbeat: Causes and Treatment - Dr Viveka Kumar

A slow heart rate, or bradycardia, means the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute. Normally, the heart’s natural pacemaker — the sinoatrial (SA) node — sends steady electrical signals to keep the heart beating regularly in the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute.

In bradycardia, these signals are weak or delayed, causing the heart to beat more slowly than normal. As a result, blood flows more slowly, and the body and organs may not get enough oxygen. This condition can make you feel unwell, but new heart care methods are changing lives for the better.

Understanding bradycardia: Symptoms and causes

When your heart beats slower, your body, including your brain, might not get enough blood and oxygen. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, shortness of breath, or even fainting. While a naturally slow heart rate can be normal for very fit individuals, persistent symptoms warrant medical evaluation.

Many factors can contribute to bradycardia, including advancing age, underlying heart conditions, damage to the heart's electrical system, or certain medications. Chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure, or an imbalance of electrolytes, can also play a role.

Diagnosis and treatment approaches

To accurately diagnose bradycardia, healthcare professionals typically utilize an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and may employ a Holter monitor for continuous heart activity recording. Treatment strategies are tailored to the severity and underlying cause.

For mild cases, lifestyle adjustments or medication reviews might be sufficient. However, for symptomatic bradycardia that significantly impacts daily life, pacemaker implantation is often the recommended solution.

Innovations in pacing: The leadless advantage

Traditional pacemakers, while effective, used wires (leads) that carried a small risk of complications. A significant advancement has been the development of leadless pacemakers. These tiny, self-contained devices are placed directly inside the heart, eliminating the need for wires.

This modern method is less invasive, promotes faster recovery, and greatly reduces risks such as infection. It also offers enhanced aesthetic comfort for patients. This technology expands treatment options, particularly for those unsuitable for traditional pacemakers.

Living fully with a pacemaker

Today, most individuals with a pacemaker can lead a completely normal, active life. Modern devices are reliable, adapt to your body's needs, and allow patients to return to work, travel, and exercise. Many outdated perceptions about pacemakers, such as interference with electronics or the notion of a "weak heart," are largely inaccurate with current advanced technology.

The most critical aspect is awareness. If you experience persistent symptoms like dizziness, fainting spells, fatigue, or a noticeably slow heartbeat, speak to a cardiologist and decode your rhythm early. With timely diagnosis, innovation, and personalized care, bradycardia is a manageable condition — helping individuals live long, active, and fulfilling lives.

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