Understanding Tachycardia and Bradycardia: What Your Heart Rate Is Telling You

Your heart is more than a symbol of emotion – it’s a finely tuned muscle responsible for pumping blood throughout your body with precision. A normal resting heart rate for adults typically falls between 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). But what happens when your heart beats too fast or too slow? That’s where conditions like tachycardia and bradycardia come in.

In this blog, you’ll explore what these terms mean, what your heart rate might be telling you, and how ECG monitoring tools can help detect silent or intermittent heart rhythm issues before they become serious.

When Slower Isn’t Always Better

Take Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz, for example. Known for his elite athleticism, Spitz was diagnosed with bradycardia in 2018. Despite being in peak physical shape, he experienced symptoms after intense training sessions. What seemed like fatigue turned out to be a dangerously low heart rate. With early detection and proper monitoring, he was able to adjust his routine and manage his condition, proving that even champions aren’t immune to heart arrhythmias.

Spitz’s experience is a powerful reminder that a slow heart rate isn’t always a sign of fitness  –  sometimes, it’s a sign to pay attention. With the right tools and awareness, even hidden rhythm issues can be uncovered and managed before they become serious.

What Is Bradycardia?

Bradycardia is the opposite  –  a slower-than-normal resting heart rate, typically under 60 bpm. For some people, especially athletes, a slow heart rate can be a sign of strong cardiovascular health. But if your heart is beating too slowly to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your body, it may result in:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting (syncope)

Bradycardia can be caused by issues in the heart’s natural pacemaker (the SA node), medication side effects, or underlying heart disease. Just like with tachycardia, not all cases are symptomatic, making it essential to track heart rhythms over time.

What Is Tachycardia?

Tachycardia refers to a resting heart rate that’s higher than normal, generally over 100 bpm in adults. It’s like your heart is revving its engine even when you’re parked. While it can be a normal response to exercise, stress, or excitement, persistent or unexplained tachycardia can signal an underlying issue.

There are several types of tachycardia:

• Ventricular tachycardia (VT): Starts in the lower chambers and can be life-threatening if not treated.
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): A fast heart rate that begins above the ventricles, in the atria.

Some people feel symptoms like palpitations, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. Others may not notice anything at all, which is why monitoring is so important.

Quick Guide: Heart Rate Ranges & What They Might Mean

Note: Heart rate should always be interpreted in the context of age, activity level, and symptoms.

Why Does Heart Rate Matter?

Your heart rate is a window into your cardiovascular health. While momentary fluctuations are normal, consistently high or low rates can lead to complications if left unchecked, including:

• Blood clots
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Sudden cardiac arrest

What makes both tachycardia and bradycardia tricky is their potential to appear intermittently, especially during sleep, rest, or physical activity. These episodes may be missed by standard in-clinic ECGs or short-term Holter monitors.

Tachycardia and Bradycardia in Context: Beyond Resting Heart Rate

It’s important to note that both tachycardia and bradycardia aren’t limited to resting heart rate patterns alone. These rhythms can fluctuate during sleep, stress, hydration changes, or while transitioning between rest and exertion. For instance, inappropriate sinus tachycardia  –  where the heart races without clear triggers  –  and paroxysmal bradycardia  –  brief drops in heart rate that may cause fainting  –  are both challenging to catch with standard checkups. ECG monitoring bridges this gap by capturing these rhythm changes dynamically, offering clinicians more complete diagnostic insight into when and why these fluctuations occur.

When the Heart Swings: Alternating Bradycardia and Tachycardia

Some individuals may experience a condition known as tachy-brady syndrome, where the heart alternates unpredictably between too-slow and too-fast rhythms. This is particularly common in patients with sick sinus syndrome, a dysfunction of the heart’s natural pacemaker. These erratic swings can go unnoticed for years, especially if symptoms are mild or sporadic  –  such as occasional fatigue, brain fog, or palpitations. However, the consequences can be serious, including syncope or even sudden cardiac arrest. ECG monitoring is vital in capturing these transitions and enabling timely interventions, such as medication adjustments or pacemaker implantation if needed.

How ECG Monitoring Helps

This is where patchless ECG monitors come into play. Worn comfortably on the chest, it records high-quality ECG data in near-real-time, whether you’re working, resting, or exercising.

With the ECG monitors, you can:

• Capture both sinus rhythm and abnormal heart patterns like arrhythmia, SVT, or ventricular tachycardia.
• Tag symptoms during episodes for better physician interpretation.
• Sync data via a companion app for remote clinician access.
• Receive end-of-study reports reviewed by cardiac physiologists or your care team.

Unlike smartwatches that rely on 30–60 second spot checks, ECG monitors continuously record data for up to 24 hours per charge – making it much more effective at identifying silent or intermittent arrhythmias.

Who Should Be Monitoring Their Heart Rate?

You don’t have to wait for symptoms to take control of your heart health. ECG monitoring is especially helpful for:

• Individuals with known or suspected atrial fibrillation (AF)
• Those experiencing fluttering in the heart or palpitations
• Patients recovering from cardiac procedures
• Athletes pushing through endurance training
• Anyone with a family history of cardiovascular arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm

When to Talk to Your Doctor

If you’ve experienced:

• Skipped or irregular beats
• Rapid heart rate without exertion
• Lightheadedness or fatigue
• Nighttime chest discomfort or palpitations

It’s time to speak with your doctor. They may recommend a clinical-grade EKG/ECG machine or wearable electrocardiogram monitors for home use.

Final Thoughts

Your heart rate isn’t just a number  –  it’s a message from your body. Conditions like tachycardia and bradycardia might seem mild or go unnoticed at first, but over time, they can lead to serious outcomes. The good news? With advancements in ECG monitor technology, you can catch these issues early and take action.

Whether you’re trying to understand an odd flutter in your chest, monitor your atrial fibrillation heart rate, or manage a known condition, tools like ECG monitors provide clarity and control. They bridge the gap between how you feel and what your heart is actually doing  –  24/7.

Don’t wait for a scary symptom to listen to your heart. Start monitoring today, and give your heart the attention it deserves.