When Should You Worry About a Low Heart Rate

At What Stage is a Low Heart Rate Bad For You

People are more in tune with their minute-to-minute heart rate than ever due to the rise of fitness tracking devices and smartwatches. Now that you’re able to constantly track it, you may have noticed slower-than-usual heart rates on occasion. This isn’t bad, and having a slow heart rate doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy. In some cases, an abnormally slow heart rate, medically known as Bradycardia, can indicate a healthy lifestyle.

Adults’ normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, if you have Bradycardia’, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute. A slow heart rate may or may not indicate better health and fitness, and we will go over the signs that indicate when a low heart rate is healthy and when it isn’t.

What is a Low Heart Rate?

Heart rates of 60 beats per minute (bpm) or below are considered low by medical professionals. Even when awake and active, people with Bradycardia have heart rates significantly lower than 60 beats per minute.

Symptoms of Low Heart Rate

It’s important to note that some people with Bradycardia have no other symptoms save a sluggish heart rhythm. Symptoms of Bradycardia in other people may include:

Exhaustion and weakness
Dizziness
Confusion and shortness of breath
Chest Pain
Cardiac arrest
Facial and head trauma

If your doctor suspects a problem with your heart rate, they can recommend a few straightforward tests to determine the cause. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart) are examples of these tests.

Common Reasons for a Slow Heart Rate

The rate at which your heart beats varies naturally depending on your bodily needs and the activities you engage in. Causes of Bradycardia that are not harmful but can lead to low heart rate include:

• Sleep
  When we are asleep or otherwise at rest, our heart rate decreases. In a horizontal position, the heart does not have to pump as hard to overcome the effects of gravity while delivering blood to the body’s various organs and tissues. Since our bodies don’t require as much energy while we sleep, our heart eventually rests.
• Physical Fitness
  Regular cardiovascular exercise makes the heart stronger, and a heart that’s in better shape can do its job of pumping blood more effectively. A lower resting heart rate is typical for those who have been regularly engaging in physical exercise, which is a sign that their hearts are becoming more efficient.

Serious Conditions That Cause Low Heart Rate

People with preexisting heart issues, or those over 65, are more likely to experience Bradycardia due to their medical condition. The following are some conditions that may lead to Bradycardia:

• Sick Sinus Syndrome
  Sinus node dysfunction (SND), also known as sick sinus syndrome, is a disease characterized by abnormal impulse firing rates emanating from the sinus node. A person’s heart rate may increase, decrease, or fluctuate due to SND.
• Heart Electrical Pathways
  Our hearts beat thanks to a specialized electrical circuit. The signal can get distorted when there is a problem with the conduction system. An irregular heartbeat is what doctors refer to as an arrhythmia.
• Metabolic Abnormalities
  The proper pumping of the heart depends on a balance of electrolytes and hormones. A slow heart rate can result from several medical issues, including hypothyroidism and potassium deficiency.
• Oxygen Deprivation
  In the medical profession, hypoxia describes a state in which tissue oxygen levels are too low to function normally. Medical emergencies such as choking or a severe asthma attack can lead to hypoxia. It can also be caused by long-term health issues such as chronic obstructive lung disease.

When to See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor soon if you have any moderate symptoms. You should immediately get medical attention if you feel symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

Aging can make you feel like you’re just going to have to accept things like fatigue, concentration difficulties, and increased respiratory effort. Tell your doctor about all symptoms you’re experiencing. Do not hesitate to let them know if you are seeing a marked increase in your rate of fatigue compared to previous months or years.

• Diagnosis
  Your doctor may recommend a 24-hour heart rate monitor if you’ve experienced Bradycardia. Your doctor will inquire about your current symptoms and past medical history.

• Treatment
  If your doctor diagnoses you with Bradycardia, they will develop a treatment strategy depending on the underlying cause. For instance, if hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) is to blame, the problem with the patient’s heart rate can be resolved by treating the causal condition.

If your doctor is unable to assess the cause using your input and the tests, they may alter your cardiac medication. To calm your heart muscle, your doctor may recommend a beta-blocker. If its use causes an abnormally slow heart rate, your doctor may reduce your dosage or switch to a different medication.

If these methods fail and your illness is severe enough to cause injury to your other organs, you may require a pacemaker. If your doctor has fitted you with a pacemaker, paying attention to their instructions for using the device and recognizing when it’s not functioning correctly is essential.

If you have a low heart rate, your doctor would most likely ask about your daily routine and perform a physical check. However, a low heart rate is not always a cause for alarm. The presence of Bradycardia is sometimes indicative of general health and fitness.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Low Heart Rate :

How low can your heart rate go before it’s a problem?

What is deemed too slow can depend on your age and physical condition. For example, elderly people are more prone to Bradycardia, while adults have a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute (BPM).

Is a heart rate of 40 dangerously low?

Many people typically have a resting heart rate between 40 and 60 beats a minute during sleep.

Is a resting pulse of 45 good?

A “normal” RHR falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. An RHR under 60 can imply that you’re more physically fit and may be associated with adequate heart function.

Can Bradycardia cause a stroke?

Yes, Bradycardia may be associated with ischemic stroke, which is a stroke that blocks blood vessels in the brain.

Can a low heart rate be fatal?

A slow heartbeat may indicate that inadequate blood is being pumped to supply the heart’s needs. This can cause fatigue that is serious enough to sometimes cause cardiac arrest and death.

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Healthy Heart Exercise | Arrhythmia Symptoms | Acid Reflux | Heart Rate Zones | Heart Palpitations After Eating |  Heart Attack Symptoms | Atrial Fibrillation Treatment | Cardiovascular Disease | Heart Rate Monitor Device| Best Heart Rate Monitor.

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