Slow Heart Rate: When to Worry

In the United States, one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. That comes out to be about 659,000 people in a year.

Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in most groups in the United States, it’s a good idea to start looking out for your heart health and practicing healthy living. But how do you know what you should worry about? How do you know when something’s wrong?

In this article, we’re taking a look at low heart rate. We’ll walk you through what it is and when you should seek out medical help. Let’s dive in.

What Is a Slow Heart Rate?

A slow heart rate, or bradycardia, is when your heart rate is below 60 beats per minute. In contrast, a normal heart rate is anywhere from 60 to 100 beats per minute.

What Causes a Low Heartbeat?

A number of different things can be behind a low heart rate, and they aren’t all dangers to our health. Our heart rate drops when we sleep, for example.

It’s also common for physically fit athletes to have a lower resting heart rate. Since cardiovascular training strengthens the heart muscle, the heart rate tends to drop over time.

Certain medications also lower the heart rate to reduce strain on the heart muscle. These usually include blood pressure medications and beta-blockers.

Bradycardia, however, can also be caused by underlying heart conditions. These can include problems with the heart’s electrical pathways, a heart that’s abnormally shaped or structured, or metabolic abnormalities.

When to Worry About a Low Heart Rate

A low heart rate is not always a cause for concern. In fact, we’ve seen that in cases of physically fit individuals, it’s a sign of a healthy heart. But when does it mean that you should see your doctor?

If you’re experiencing certain symptoms in conjunction with your slow heartbeat, it’s a good idea to contact a medical professional. These might include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Heart palpitations or skipped heartbeats
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty exercise
• Fatigue

If you have one of the above symptoms when your heart rate drops, it could be an indication that there’s something else going on. For certain people, there are other risk factors to consider. If you have one of the following conditions, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor even if you’re not having symptoms:

• Over 50 years old
• Heart disease or underlying heart condition
• Kidney disease
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Thyroid problems
• Heart rate below 40 beats per minute

A healthcare professional can perform tests to get a read on your heart health and its functionality. They may recommend that you wear a pacemaker to track the rhythm of your heartbeat. Learn more about pacemakers here.

A Healthy Heart Means Healthy Living

While bradycardia, or a low heart rate, is not always a cause for concern, it’s good to keep tabs on your heart health. If you develop symptoms while your heart rate is low or you have other risk factors, make sure you talk to your doctor. If you take care of your heart, you set yourself up for a healthier life.

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