What does a slow heartbeat indicate?
If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute. Bradycardia can 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 short of breath.
What does a slow ECG mean?
ECG strip showing bradycardia. Bradycardia is a heart rate that’s too slow. What’s considered too slow can depend on your age and physical condition. Elderly people, for example, are more prone to bradycardia. In general, for adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute (BPM) qualifies as bradycardia.
When should I worry about a slow heart rate?
Adults and children who have a low pulse and experience symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, or exercise intolerance should also go to the hospital. A person should contact a doctor about bradycardia when they: experience an unexplained change in heart rate that lasts for several days.
Is slower heart beat good?
In general, a slower resting heart rate (or low pulse rate) is better than a fast one. A high resting heart rate has been linked to atherosclerosis, sudden death, and an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
How do you fix low heart rate?
Bradycardia treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication changes or an implanted device called a pacemaker. If an underlying health problem, such as thyroid disease or sleep apnea, is causing the slow heart rate, treatment of that condition might correct bradycardia.
How do doctors treat bradycardia?
What can cause an abnormal EKG?
Electrolytes conduct electricity in the body and help keep the heart rate and rhythm consistent. An imbalance in electrolyte minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium may cause an abnormal EKG reading. Taking certain medications may cause abnormal EKG results. Some medications may cause an abnormal EKG reading.
Is a slow heart rate good or bad for You?
When you’re in good shape, your heart doesn’t need to beat as often to supply your body with enough oxygen. But a slow heart rate can also be a sign of a medical problem, such as a heart condition. If your resting heart rate is slow and you have other symptoms of bradycardia such as lightheadedness, call your doctor or go to the ER.
How dangerous is a slow heart rate?
If your pulse rate drops too low, you may feel lightheaded, dizzy, confused or very tired. Fainting is also a risk. In severe cases, cardiac arrest or a sudden loss of heart function may occur. If untreated, bradycardia can lead to chest pain, high or low blood pressure and heart failure.
How fast is an EKG?
Standardization: full standard is two large squares (1 mV, 10 mm) and half standard is one large square (0.5mV, 5 mm) Paper speed: the standard is 25 mm/sec, the faster the paper speed the slower the HR will look and vice versa 1. Heart rate: The standard paper speed is 25 mm (5 large squares)/sec.