Bradycardia is a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute in adults. According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute may be normal in healthy young adults and well-trained athletes. Bradycardia can be a serious problem for individuals who experience associated symptoms.
Lightheaded
Conditions such as an abnormal heart rate or a decrease in blood volume from the heart can cause a lightheaded sensation without the loss of consciousness. Bradycardia is associated with low blood pressure. The systolic or top number in a blood pressure reading is the amount of pressure the heart generates when pumping blood through the arteries to the rest of the body. The diastolic or bottom number in a blood pressure reading is the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. According to bradycardia.net., when the heart is not pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain, an individual with bradycardia will experience feeling lightheaded and the inability to concentrate.
Angina and Shortness of Breath
In a normal heart rhythm, an electrical signal initiates at the sinus node and follows a precise pathway to the atrioventricular node (AV). The electrical impulse leaves the AV node and travels through the ventricles. The ventricles are stimulated to contract and pump blood throughout the body. Bradycardia results when the electrical signals slow down or are blocked. Reduced blood flow to the heart causes angina, or chest pain. Inadequate oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain, muscles and vital organs can result in a sense of breathlessness.
Cardiac Arrest
If bradycardia is significant enough to cause any of the mentioned symptoms, more life threatening complications can develop. Frequent fainting episodes are a concern. Prolonged oxygen deprivation to the brain will cause convulsions. Heart failure can occur when the heart can no longer pump enough blood. The staff of the Mayo Clinic warns that severe bradycardia, which is a heart rate of less than 30 beats per minute can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or sudden death.
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