.jpg)
Have you ever felt your heart beating weakly and slowly? Self-detecting a slow heart rate may be more difficult, because unlike a fast heart rate which can be characterized by sudden palpitations, a slow heart rate usually cannot be detected without using the correct tools and examination methods.
But did you know that slow heart rate is also a heart rhythm problem or arrhythmia that can be life-threatening? This condition is called bradycardia, which is when the heart experiences rhythm disturbances that cause the heart to beat slowly. Normally, the human heart beats in the range of 60-100 times per minute, but in conditions of bradycardia the heart can beat below 60.
Slow heart rate or bradycardia is a condition that can affect anyone, but is usually more prone to be experienced by the elderly (60 years and over), because bradycardia is usually triggered by degenerative problems that make the function of the 'heart battery' and its conduction pathways decrease with age. Although it may seem trivial, this condition can put the heart health of the sufferer in danger.
What are the Characteristics of a Problematic Heart Rate ?
A slow heart rate is not always a problem in some circumstances. For example, a resting heart rate between 40 and 60 beats per minute is quite common during sleep and in some people, especially healthy young adults and trained athletes. However, this condition becomes a problem when it is detected to occur without an obvious cause.
For the layperson, a slow heart rate is usually difficult to detect because the symptoms are not very visible or noticeable, and some cases of bradycardia may not show any symptoms at all. In addition to a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, here are some characteristics of a slow heart rate that could indicate a problem:
- Accompanied by chest pain that feels like being squeezed.
- Easily feeling tired during physical activity.
- Dizziness that can be accompanied by headaches and even fainting.
- Confusion or difficulty in concentrating.
- Shortness of breath.
Is a slow heart rate dangerous?
A slow heart rate may not always indicate a disease or disorder, but it can be a serious problem if the heart rate becomes very slow and the heart is insufficient circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. If this happens, sufferers may feel symptoms of dizziness, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath and may be at risk of complications, such as:
- More risk of frequent loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Inability of the heart to pump blood and fulfill oxygen intake throughout the body (heart failure).
- Increased likelihood of myocardial infarction and abrupt fatality.
What to Do if the Heart Rate is Slow?
There are several things to consider when you suspect yourself or someone close to you is experiencing bradycardia accompanied by complaints. Before determining treatment, it is better to check with a Heart and Vascular Specialist or Arrhythmia Consultant to get a clear and precise diagnosis. The doctor can provide several tests to check the symptoms that arise through physical examination to heart function.
Examination of heart function can be done by several tools, one of which is an ECG or Electrocardiogram, a machine used to analyze the work of the heart, including its electrical activity that can detect arrhythmias or heart rhythm disturbances. The doctor will examine the heart over a period of time and detect if there is any abnormal activity that could indicate a problem other than bradycardia.
If the doctor has detected and diagnosed the presence of bradycardia, then the doctor will determine the type of treatment based on the severity and type of bradycardia.
Is Slow Heart Rate Curable?
There is no need to worry if diagnosed with a slow heart rate or bradycardia, because with the right treatment method this condition can be restored to normal. In less severe types, doctors will usually prescribe some medications and lifestyle adjustments, such as:
- Exercise regularly
- Maintaining ideal body weight.
- Modifying your dietary habits to adopt a more nutritious and beneficial eating plan.
- Managing and regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Manage stress wisely.
- Stop smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
However, if the condition is severe or does not respond well to oral medication and lifestyle adjustments, the doctor may recommend several methods to treat your bradycardia, one of which is the installation of a pacemaker.
A pacemaker is a device that is fitted to treat arrhythmia disorders, more specifically bradycardia or slow heart rate. This tool has its own electric power embedded in the battery and is installed under the skin of the chest. The function of the pacemaker itself is to help control the heart rate to become regular again by sending electrical signals that can restore the heart rate to normal again.
Developments in medicine have also made pacemakers better and more efficient. Now, the smallest pacemaker called Micra has come to help patients to treat bradycardia arrhythmia without having to perform major surgical operations (minimally invasive). Micra is the smallest wireless pacemaker in the world today that is designed to provide the same effect as a conventional pacemaker but with a much safer surgical technique.
Micra installation is also considered suitable for treating elderly patients because apart from the minimally invasive process, Micra is also made of safe materials and has a size only the size of a little finger, making it suitable for elderly patients who have a higher risk of complications.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.
