Bradycardia: symptoms, treatment and consequences

People often do not understand that this is bradycardia. The causes, symptoms and consequences of the disease will be considered in this article.

Such a diagnosis is made in the presence of violations and changes in the functioning of the heart. In this case, the heart rate decreases to 60 beats per minute or less. For comparison, it is worth saying that in healthy people, the pulse is usually equal to 60 to 100 beats per minute. Directly, the heart rate for bradycardia is below 60 beats. Symptoms and causes of bradycardia are of interest to many.

It is generally accepted that this pathology does not exist in an independent form, but manifests itself as a symptom of various changes in the functioning of the heart muscle or diseases of other organs and systems in the human body that can affect the rhythm of contractions. To understand the reasons that caused bradycardia, a thorough examination of the person is carried out. True, this disease can act as a physiological regulation for athletes and healthy people with a strong heart.

Symptoms of bradycardia are discussed below.

Disease basics

Bradycardia is a type of arrhythmia when the frequency of contractions is less than 60 beats per minute. For trained athletes, this is the norm, but in other cases it is considered a cardiac pathology. Such a diagnosis usually manifests itself in the form of weakness, fainting conditions, and short-term loss of consciousness. Cold sweat, pain in the heart, dizziness, and pressure instability may also occur. Against the background of severe bradycardia, when the frequency of strokes is less than 40 per minute, the development of heart failure is likely. In this case, most likely, an operation will be required that will be aimed at implanting a pacemaker.

Regardless of the reasons, the basis of the disease is a violation of the function of the sinus node. The function is to produce electrical pulses with a frequency greater than 60 per minute. Or the disease may be due to improper distribution of impulses along the pathways. The presence of a moderate degree of bradycardia may not provoke a hemodynamic disorder. Rare heart rhythms with bradycardia lead to a lack of blood supply, and in addition to oxygen starvation of organs, which disrupts their full functioning.

Among trained people, there are symptoms of a bradycardia of a physiological form, considered as a variant of the norm. For example, in a quarter of healthy and young men, the frequency of contractions is from 50 to 60 per minute. Against the background of sleep, under the influence of physiological fluctuations in autonomic regulation, a rhythm decrease of 30% occurs. True, much more often bradycardia is formed against the background of an existing pathological process.

Bradycardia and its classification

At the location of the identified violations, sinus bradycardia is isolated. It is associated with a failure of automatism in the sinus node. Bradycardia also occurs with cardiac blockade, when impulses between the sinus node and the atrium or ventricle are disturbed. The frequency of heart contractions can also decrease against the background of physiological conditions (for example, in athletes this can occur in a dream or at rest). Such bradycardia is called functional or physiological. The development of pathological bradycardia accompanies the course of various diseases.

Pathological bradycardia, as a rule, proceeds in an acute form, which is observed against the background of myocardial infarction, myocarditis or intoxication. It disappears immediately after the cure of the disease that caused it.

Treatment for symptoms of bradycardia should be timely. In addition, pathology can occur in a chronic form, which is characteristic of age-related sclerotic heart diseases. For the reasons for the occurrence of sinus bradycardia, doctors distinguish various types of this disease, for example: extracardiac (neurogenic), organic (against the background of heart lesions), drug, toxic and sinus forms. Sometimes, according to the etiology, bradycardia is divided into toxic, central, degenerative and idiopathic types.

Symptoms and treatment of sinus bradycardia are discussed below.

Bradycardia and the causes of its development

Extracardial type of bradycardia usually develops against the background of neurocirculatory dystonia. Also, this form of the disease can form in the following cases:

1. The presence of neurosis with autonomic dysfunction.
2. Presence of pressure on the carotid sinus. This usually occurs as a result of wearing a tight collar or tie.
3. The presence of pressure on the eyeballs, for example, with an Ashner reflex.
4. In the presence of increased intracranial pressure. This can occur against the background of meningitis, brain bruises, subarachnoid hemorrhage, edema or brain tumors.
5. The development of peptic ulcer in the stomach or intestines.

The cause of the appearance of organic bradycardia can be myocardial infarction along with myocardial dystrophy, myocarditis and cardiosclerosis. These diseases lead to a degenerative and fibrous change in the sinus node, and in addition to myocardial conduction disturbances, which is accompanied by the development of bradycardia.

Against the background of organic rhythm damage, weakness of the sinus node develops , while the frequency of pulsed generation decreases sharply. This condition is usually accompanied by the appearance of sinus bradycardia. At the same time, rhythmic, but very rare contractions of the heart are observed. The extreme degree of damage to the sinus node is accompanied by a failure of the automatism function, as a result of which the production of electrical impulses of the heart stops.

Against the background of the defeat of the conducting channels of the myocardium, a blockade of pulses is formed, as a result of which some of the signals generated by the sinus node are blocked and cannot reach the ventricles. As a result of this whole process, bradycardia is formed. The appearance of a medicinal type of bradycardia can be promoted by the use of glycosides and adrenergic blockers, and in addition, sympatholytic drugs (for example, Reserpine) along with calcium channel blockers (Verapamil, Nifedipine, Morphine).

The toxic type of bradycardia is formed in the presence of severe intoxications, which can be caused by factors such as sepsis, hepatitis, uremia, typhoid fever and organophosphate poisoning. This group also includes bradycardia caused by hypercalcemia or hyperkalemia.

Symptoms of bradycardia in athletes differ in heart rate in the region of 40 beats per minute, which is observed even in the daytime. The reason for this bradycardia is the peculiarities of the autonomic regulation of the heart rate in people who are professionally involved in sports. Among other things, the natural aging process of the body can lead to bradycardia. Sometimes the cause of bradycardia remains unclear. In such situations, they talk about the idiopathic form of the disease.

Symptoms of bradycardia

In healthy people, the standard rhythm of contractions, as a rule, is sinus. In this case, a certain number of contractions per minute is observed. When there are malfunctions in time that occur between two pulses against the background of the heart, this phenomenon is called arrhythmia. That is, this is a condition in which the heart works measuredly, but the number of its contractions per minute is far from normal. Thus, experts argue that bradycardia should be considered as one of the modifications of arrhythmia. For the development of bradycardia, certain symptoms are characteristic.

As a rule, the clinical symptoms of the disease are expressed in the following phenomena:

1. The appearance of discomfort along with discomfort in the area of ​​the heart.
2. Observation of heartbeat disorders.
3. Sensation of insufficient air.
4. The appearance of malfunctions in blood pressure.
5. The appearance of fainting conditions.
6. The presence of pale skin.
7. Pallor of the mucous membranes.
8. The presence of weakness along with fatigue.
9. The appearance of shortness of breath, convulsions and swelling.
10. The development of arrhythmia.
11. Visual impairment.

These signs of bradycardia are not considered specific, therefore, many people perceive them as indicators of the aging of the body or the appearance of chronic fatigue. Usually, in the presence of bradycardia from 40 to 60 strokes, no clinical symptoms appear. But in the case of a decrease in heart rate to 30 beats, general weakness, shortness of breath, swelling, impaired memory, and, in addition, pallor of the skin and dizziness, are observed. In the event that the frequency of contractions is less than 30 strokes, a person develops cramps and soon faints. In such situations, the provision of medical care is urgently required, otherwise the consequences may be irreversible.

When are symptoms of bradycardia in women still detected?

During pregnancy

In women during this period, pathology is extremely rarely diagnosed if it was absent before pregnancy. Bradycardia is divided into physiological or pathological. Physiological is a variant of the norm and is usually noted in cases where a woman led an active lifestyle, trained, worked physically, etc. In this case, bradycardia is not dangerous for the fetus or for the expectant mother. The pathological symptoms of bradycardia in women during pregnancy are usually provoked by the following ailments:

1. Heart and blood vessel disease.
2. Thyroid disease.
3. Kidney and liver disease.
4. Impaired regulation of the nervous system.

If a pathological form of bradycardia is detected, a pregnant woman should receive therapy, the purpose of which will be to eliminate the diseases that caused a slowing of the heartbeat.

Diagnosis of the disease

Symptoms characteristic of the pathology are identified during the collection of complaints and after an objective examination. When examining patients, as a rule, doctors determine a rare pulse, which, against the background of a sinus form of bradycardia, has the correct rhythm. During the diagnosis, the doctor also listens to the heart tone. Often during the examination, respiratory arrhythmia can be detected. Bradycardia patients are recommended to consult a cardiologist.

Thanks to electrocardiographic examination in the presence of bradycardia, it is possible to fix a rare frequency of contractions. In addition, sinoatrial or atrioventricular block can be fixed. In the event that, at the time of the electrocardiogram, episodes of bradycardia do not appear, doctors resort to daily monitoring.

Against the background of the organic form of pathology, an ultrasound examination of the heart is performed. The method of ultrasonic echocardiography determines the decrease in fractions along with an increase in heart size, sclerotic and degenerative changes in the myocardium. By means of exercise bicycle ergometry, the increase in the frequency of contractions is evaluated in connection with predetermined physical activities.

If it is impossible to identify transient blockades by electrocardiogram and Holter monitoring methods, experts conduct an electrophysiological examination of the heart. Using transesophageal electrophysiological studies, the functional nature of the pathology can be determined.

We examined the symptoms of sinus bradycardia.

Pathology treatment

Functional bradycardia, which is not accompanied by any clinical manifestations, does not require treatment. In the presence of an organic, extracardiac or toxic type of bradycardia, therapy of the underlying disease is carried out. Against the background of the development of drug bradycardia, it is necessary to adjust the dosage or cancel drugs that slow down the heart rate.

In case of manifestation of a hemodynamic disturbance, for example, in the form of weakness or dizziness, prescribe drugs based on belladonna, ginseng, and in addition, extract of Eleutherococcus, ephedrine and other drugs selected in individual doses. An indication for the active treatment of symptoms of nocturnal bradycardia is the development of angina pectoris along with arterial hypotension, fainting, heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmia.

The appearance of an Adams-Stokes attack in a patient requires urgent consultation with a cardiac surgeon. Also in this case, the issue of implanting a pacemaker, which is an artificial pacemaker that generates electrical impulses with the required physiological frequency, should be resolved. The presence of an adequate and constant heart rate helps to restore healthy hemodynamics.

The basic principles of the treatment of cardiac pathology

So, in the treatment of a disease such as bradycardia, doctors in their practice are guided by the following principles:

1. In the event that the reduction is less than 60 beats per minute, but at the same time any diseases from the side of the heart and blood vessels, as well as other organs of the patient are not detected, it will be sufficient to apply standard preventive measures.
2. The treatment of the underlying disease that triggered this pathology is always required. As part of the treatment of symptoms of bradycardia, what pills and alternative methods to use?
3. Drug therapy should be carried out only by a qualified cardiologist, since only this specialist is able to adequately assess all the nuances along with the pitfalls of drug treatment.
4. The most effective treatment for severe forms of bradycardia is currently considered to be the implantation of a pacemaker. A pacemaker is installed if the heart rate is less than 40 beats per minute, and the patient's heart can stop for more than two seconds.

Treatment of symptoms of bradycardia with folk remedies can also be very effective. It quickly normalizes the work of the heart.

Herbal harvest number 1, which consists of:

1. Nettle leaf - 100 g.
2. Tea rose petals - 100 g.
3. Blackcurrant leaves - 50 g.
4. Daisies - 50 g.
5. Dandelion Root - 50 g.
6. Angelica root - 50 g.
7. Yarrow herbs - 20 g.

All components are thoroughly mixed. 1 teaspoon of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused under the lid for 20 minutes, filtered. The infusion is taken half a cup twice a day after meals.

Herbal collection No. 2 consists of:

1. Nettle leaf - 30 g.
2. Blackcurrant leaves - 30 g.
3. Walnut leaf - 30 g.
4. Triad leaves - 30 g.
5. Dandelion Root - 30 g.
6. Rosehips - 30 g.
7. Inflorescences of hawthorn - 30 g.

1.5 tablespoons of the mixture pour 1 cup boiling water. Insist for three hours in a closed container, then filter and take three times a day, 1 glass before meals.

Herbal collection number 3 consists of:

1. Calamus rhizomes - 30 g.
2. Rowan leaves - 30 g.
3. Rose petals - 50 g.
4. Blackcurrant leaves - 50 g.
5. Dandelion Root - 50 g.
6. Inflorescences of hawthorn - 50 g.

Prepared in the same way. It is taken three times a day for half a glass.

Treatment of symptoms of bradycardia with folk remedies is not limited to this.

An effective soothing massage at night. Usually, the left hand is massaged in circular motions, while oil extract of nuts or olives can be used. Enough will be 15 minutes a day.

Massage helps with bradycardia, which appears due to stress, pathologies of the nervous system and other emotional factors.

You can also try a mixture rich in essential oils. The tool enhances appetite, strengthens the heart, immune system and normalizes blood pressure. It will take 4 lemons and a liter of boiling water, after half an hour the lemon is crushed with a blender. Add to the mixture 0.5 kg of chopped walnuts, sesame oil (1 cup) and 250 grams of sugar. Use before meals 1 tbsp. l

The development of bradycardia in a child

Symptoms of bradycardia in children are quite rare. In healthy babies, the frequency of contractions is greater than in adults. There are certain heart rate indicators that are different for each age category, which should be taken into account during the examination. For example, for a nursing baby, the pulse is considered to be optimal, equal to 100 beats per minute. Symptoms and treatment of bradycardia in a newborn are interrelated.

Smaller rates in infants are already considered bradycardia. Up to six years of age, 70 strokes are a deviation from the norm. In children who are older than six years old, the norm is already exactly the same as in adults. Thus, their pulse should be from 60 to 70 beats.

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Timely elimination of extracardiac causes along with organic heart lesions, toxic effects on the myocardium and the correct selection of dosage of drugs make it possible to prevent the development of symptoms of bradycardia in women, men and children.

What is the danger, consequences and complications of pathology?

It is well known that in most cases, bradycardia is a sign of a specific disease that can lead to cardiac arrest, and in addition, to injuries as a result of a fall during a swoon. Among other things, this disease leads to a violation of cerebral blood supply, the development of heart failure, coronary disease and myocardial infarction. With symptoms of bradycardia, first aid and treatment are important.

Often, against the background of bradycardia, a serious pathology in the form of a sinus node weakness syndrome is revealed in patients. The basis of this pathology is a violation of the structure of the sinus node. For such a disease, frequent fainting with dizziness is characteristic, and the number of heart contractions in this case will be less than 40 beats per minute. In this regard, if the course of this disease worsens, the patient needs to install a pacemaker, which will help to establish the work of the heart. A similar surgical treatment for symptoms of bradycardia in men and women is used when other methods of therapy are ineffective.

Having noticed the first symptomatology in violation of the heart rhythm, it is necessary to go for examination and, most importantly, not to engage in self-treatment. People who suffer from bradycardia should take vitamins along with fortifying drugs. It is also advisable to reduce the diet of sweet and fatty foods. The quantity of vegetables with fruits, on the contrary, needs to be increased. In the event of a timely visit to a cardiologist, you can manage to stop the progression of the pathology, preserving your health.

Pathology Prevention

Preventive measures for this disease include regular monitoring of pressure. In addition, as part of prevention, it is necessary to constantly monitor the heart rate. It is equally important to observe the correct diet. In this case, patients require a diet with a reduced amount of salt and fat. It is imperative to quit smoking, and alcohol consumption, in turn, must be adequate. But, of course, it is best to completely abandon drinks containing alcohol.

Patients suffering from bradycardia should maintain their work and rest. Against the background of this pathology, walks in the fresh air along with regular fitness classes will be very useful. But during fitness, you should individually select the load. Among other things, an annual examination by a cardiologist will make it possible to timely detect and quickly cure any form of bradycardia.

Now we know what the symptoms and causes of bradycardia are.