Generally, you want a slower heart rate when you’re resting. It’s a sign of good health. But if it’s too slow, it could be a symptom of a condition called bradycardia.
Bradycardia is a condition where your heart beats more slowly than expected, under 60 beats per minute. Basically, the hearts of adults at rest usually beats between 60 and 100 times a minute. If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute.
This tends to be a serious problem if the heart rate is very slow and the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. If this happens, you may feel dizzy, very tired or weak, and have shortness of breath. Sometimes bradycardia doesn’t cause symptoms or complications and it is not contagious.
What causes this condition?
According to an article by Cleveland clinic published on the 23rd of June 2022; Bradycardia can happen for a wide range of reasons.
Electrolyte deficiencies: This happens when you’re not getting enough of certain electrolytes like calcium, magnesium and potassium which can impact your heart rate. So with the lack of Electrolyte deficiencies, bradycardia can be caused.
Inflammation: This includes inflammation of the heart’s inner lining (endocarditis), the heart muscle itself (myocarditis), or the pericardial sac that holds and cushions your heart (pericarditis).
Infections: The bacteria that cause most strep throat infections. Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus. This can cause damage to your heart, especially your heart valves if they aren’t treated quickly enough.
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Rheumatic fever can develop when a bacterial infection like strep throat isn’t treated quickly. Rheumatic fever also causes rheumatic heart disease several years later. If you or a loved one notices mild to medium symptoms, like trouble with breathing, extreme tiredness, and all the sorts, go to a doctor quickly.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all your symptoms. If you wear out more easily now than you did a month or year ago, let them know.
