These are the symptoms of bradycardia

The regular pumping function of the heart serves to supply the rest of the body with blood and the oxygen it contains. In the case of bradycardia, the heart beats at too low a frequency. Consequently, less blood is often pumped into the body’s circulation.

The organs and tissues are therefore supplied with less blood overall than would be normal for people with a normal heart rate. An exception are (competitive) athletes, where the trained condition of the heart ensures a sufficient supply of blood to the body’s circulation even at a low frequency. In the context of bradycardia a whole range of symptoms can occur.

Among other things, a reduction in performance, tiredness and a feeling of weakness can be observed. In addition to the rather unspecific symptoms, dizziness and impaired vision are also common symptoms of reduced heart rate. Furthermore, the affected person may experience shortness of breath which may be accompanied by nervousness and anxiety.

If the brain is not supplied with sufficient oxygen or blood due to the low beat frequency of the heart, fainting fits can also occur. Not all of these symptoms necessarily occur in order to diagnose bradycardia. Some people even experience only very mild symptoms, if at all.

Course of disease in bradycardia

The course of the disease depends, among other things, on the therapy. Most people can expect a reduction in symptoms when therapy is initiated. Of course, it is always important to consider which other diseases still exist that may affect the heart.

All in all, bradycardia can be treated with an adequate therapy. If no therapeutic measures are taken, it is possible that in the course of time a heart failure, a so-called cardiac insufficiency, will occur. Within this framework, the other organs may then be undersupplied with oxygen.

Depending on which organ is affected by the undersupply, different symptoms will then occur. How can the so-called heart failure be recognised and treated if necessary? This information and much more can be found in the following articles:

Symptoms of heart failure
Therapy of a cardiac insufficiency

Which bradycardia should be treated?

It is not necessarily necessary to treat bradycardia. Very athletic people, for example, may have a low heart rate, but this has no disease value and therefore does not need treatment. Therapy should be initiated especially for people who show symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and fainting. Furthermore, treatment should be given to those whose heart rate is already particularly low, as the supply of blood to the body or organs is no longer sufficiently guaranteed.

Therapy of bradycardia

There are various therapeutic options that can be used in bradycardia. As a rule, the treatment depends on the triggering cause. In the case of bradycardia caused by drugs such as beta blockers, for example, alternative preparations are sought.

In the context of hypothyroidism, the administration of certain thyroid medications is necessary to put an end to bradycardia as a side effect. If the disorder lies in the sinus node or in a pronounced conduction disorder, the insertion of a pacemaker is usually necessary. This is a small probe that can be inserted into the heart with the help of a cardiac catheter.

The pacemaker is able to generate its own impulses, which then lead to an electrical excitation of the heart. The pacemaker thus takes over the function of the sinus node. In case of minor disturbances of the electrical conduction, it may be necessary to check the pacemaker regularly with an ECG.

The exact therapy procedure is of course also related to other diseases, especially of the heart. Consultation with a physician is therefore essential in order to treat bradycardia adequately. You are interested in how a pacemaker works and are possibly about to have a pacemaker implanted? So it is advantageous that you also read the following article: Pacemaker – What is its function?