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Bradycardia Treatment

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Bradycardia: 
An Overview

A normal heartbeat ranges from 50 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Changes in heart rate caused by activity, diet, medications, and age are normal and common. However, with Bradycardia, your heart rate goes below 60 bpm. Bradycardia can be a serious health issue. It clearly indicates that your heart cannot pump oxygenated blood throughout your body.

Some of the most common reasons for Bradycardia are underlying heart problems or an underactive thyroid gland. Addressing these complex causes calls for a specialist who is not just adept in handling the condition, but is also well-versed in using the most advanced medical technologies. This is where Dr. Karthigesan steps in.

The most significant part of Dr. Karthigesan's practice is the use of state-of-the-art technology in the diagnosis and treatment of Bradycardia. When required, he recommends the implantation of a pacemaker, an advanced procedure in which he is highly experienced. Under Dr. Karthigesan's care, you will not just receive treatment, but a comprehensive plan to achieve and maintain a healthy heart. Choose to journey towards a healthy heart with Dr. Karthigesan.

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  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fainting spells
  • Mild to extreme fatigue
  • Pain in the chest
  • Disorientation
  • Inability to focus
  • Breathlessness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Memory issues
  • Personality changes
  • Heart failure
  • Syncope or fainting spells
  • Cardiac arrest in severe cases
  • Unnecessary agitation and irritability
  • Elderly age, heart diseases and heart attacks
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Medications taken for hypertension, Arrhythmias or abnormal heartbeats.
  • Problems with the conduction pathways between the atria and ventricles that prevent electrical impulses from travelling effectively.
  • Complications following a heart surgery
  • Myocarditis or heart tissue infection
  • Low thyroid function
  • Potassium or calcium imbalance in the blood
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Issues with the Sino Atrial node
  • Rheumatic fever, lupus and other inflammatory diseases
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Types of 
Bradycardia

Sinus Bradycardia
In Sinus Bradycardia, the heart rate goes below 50 beats per minute. Generally, this slow heart rate is normal for healthy, athletic people. Hence, it may not cause much complications. But it is definitely a cause for concern if the rate goes below 40 bpm.
Sinus Pause
Sinus Pause occurs when the heart misses one or more beats because the Sinoatrial Node (SA) or the heart’s natural pacemaker does not work normally. A recurring or prolonged sinus pause may lead to more symptoms where the patients may require pacemaker implantation.
Sick Sinus Syndrome
When the sinus node does not work properly, it can lead to sick sinus syndrome, which is characterised by single or combination arrhythmias with symptoms. This can lead to one or multiple arrhythmias. Usually, people with Bradycardia exhibit slow arrhythmias or a combination of fast and slow ones.
Tachy-Brady Syndrome
This is a condition where the heart suffers both a slow heart rate (Brady) and a fast heart rate (tachy). It is an abnormal issue often experienced by patients with Atrial Fibrillation or A-Fib or when the heart’s pacemaker is not working normally. In such cases, fixing a pacemaker may be the only solution to make the heart work normally.
Heart Block
A heart block occurs when there’s an abnormality in the way the electrical impulse passes through the heart. Due to the abnormality, the electrical stimulation cannot pursue the normal electrical pathways. Such occurrences lead to a slower heart rate.
A close-up concept of a doctor holding a heart model illustrates Bradycardia Treatment .

Bradycardia 
Treatment Options

To treat Bradycardia, Dr.Karthigesan will assess your symptoms and the reasons causing the slow heart rate. If the diagnosis reveals that Hypothyroidism is slowing the heart rate, we can treat it to restore normal thyroid functioning, which will, in return, indirectly impact the Bradycardia. Some of our low heartbeat treatment options include:

Pacemaker insertion under the collarbone

This device generates electrical impulses and passes them to the heart through thin, highly durable wires. Implanting a leadless pacemaker is less invasive because it is smaller than normal. It is best you follow our doctor’s advice and instructions if you have had pacemaker implantation. It is best to keep yourself well-informed about how the device works and signs to look out for if it malfunctions.

Adjusting your medications

Another major cause of Bradycardia is medications for hypertension and other conditions. These medications, essentially calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, may cause Bradycardia. Hence, we may adjust your medication intake to bring the heart rate back to normal.

In case your heart rate is slow because you are physically fit, you will not need any specific slow pulse rate treatment.

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Bradycardia: 
Your Questions, Our Answers

Any heart rate below 50 bpm can either be harmless or dangerous. For example, your heart rate can be slow but very normal when you are asleep. Similarly, the definition of an abnormally slow heart rate may differ from person to person.

For instance, the resting heart rate for a strong, young, healthy athlete will be about 30 to 40 bpm. This heart rate can increase up to 180 bpm when they exercise. This rise in heart rate is generally considered normal. However, if your heart rate drops to thirty to forty bpm while climbing the stairs, and you experience fatigue at the same time, this could be considered abnormal.

You must immediately consult your doctor if:

  • Your pulse rate is less than 50 bpm
  • You are experiencing abnormal symptoms
  • You are not feeling physically fit

It is also essential to notice how slowly your heart is beating and how you feel at that time. These details will help us diagnose the condition and start on the right treatment.

Unfortunately, no proven medication can sustainably improve the low pulse rate. The only solution to treat Bradycardia permanently is to implant a pacemaker and improve Bradycardia to a normal range to relieve the symptoms.

Our doctor will:

  • Ask about your symptoms and your family’s medical history.
  • Measure your pulse rate
  • Listen to your heart
  • Recommend blood tests and ECG to ascertain your heart rate

After initial analysis, we may recommend other tests such as a Holter monitor or 24-hour ambulatory ECG and a cardiac stress test. If your heart rate slows intermittently, you should record your symptoms.

Some of the major risk factors are:

  • Age
  • Family history of heart diseases
  • Hypertension
  • Medications

Although Bradycardia cannot always be prevented, you can do the following to reduce your risk of heart disease:

  • Indulging in regular exercise
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Maintaining an ideal body weight
  • Taking measures to reduce stress
  • Quitting smoking and drinking
  • Maintaining an ideal blood pressure and cholesterol level

CONSULTATION LOCATIONS

Nungambakkam
Address

Capstone Clinic,
5, Chockalingam St,
Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam,
Chennai 600034

Working Hours
On Appointment basis
Call for Appointment
+91 99622 52500
Greams Road
Address

Apollo Hospitals, 21, Greams Lane, Off Greams Road,
Chennai 600006

Working Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Call for Appointment
+91 99622 52500
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