Bradycardia – Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Remedies
A normal heart rate for an adult is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute. But if it’s consistently below 60, one may have a condition called bradycardia. Those with this condition may need bradycardia treatment, as their heart rate can drop into the 30s and 40s during specific phases.
Symptoms
Healthcare experts look for specific indicators in people before diagnosing bradycardia.
- Fatigue
A slow heart rate can prevent blood and nutrients from effectively reaching the body’s vital organs, such as the brain and lungs. This can lead to dizziness and constant fatigue. - Shortness of breath
A person’s breathing largely depends on their heart rate. If their heart rate is rushed or slowed, their breath tends to become more rushed. Shortness of breath is a sign of most cardiovascular conditions. - Heart palpitations
A slow heart rate is often accompanied by a fluttering feeling in the chest, which is known as palpitations.
Causes
Multiple problems may cause people to develop a progressively slower heart rate.
- Sedentary lifestyle
Exercise is necessary to maintain proper blood circulation and keep the heart consistently pumping. Those who do not exercise are more likely to develop this condition than those who work out daily. - Radiation therapy
Medical studies have found links between people undergoing radiation and an increased likelihood of bradycardia development. - Electrolyte deficiency
People who do not have enough electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, and potassium in their bloodstream are more likely to develop bradycardia.
Risk factors
In addition to knowing the causes of bradycardia, it is necessary to know what factors put people at risk of developing a slowed heart rate.
- Old age
As people age, their immune systems weaken. Additionally, their circulatory and digestive systems become debilitated, which can cause bradycardia. - High blood pressure
Medical studies and research papers have found direct links between blood pressure and a tendency for the heart rate to drop drastically. Keeping one’s blood pressure in check is a handy tactic to reduce the risk of bradycardia.
Natural remedies
There are a few natural remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of bradycardia.
- Ensuring quality sleep
Sleep is the much-needed reset button for one’s body and mind. Getting quality sleep and not having any sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are critical factors for ensuring good heart health. Many medical studies have found direct correlations between severe cardiovascular health issues, including bradycardia, and a lack of quality sleep in people.
Individuals with sleep apnea, a condition characterized by the periodic cessation of breathing when one naps, must visit their general physician or sleep expert. Sleep apnea is one of the main causes of slow heart rate.
To counter all these problems, most bradycardia treatment alternatives focus on improving one’s sleep habits and quality. One can invest in quality mattresses and pillows to ensure uninterrupted sleep at night. - Exercising regularly
Lack of mobility and a sedentary lifestyle are two key causes of many diseases. Cardiovascular issues like arrhythmia and bradycardia may worsen for people who do not work out regularly. Regular exercise helps strengthen one’s heart muscles and improve blood circulation. It also helps boost immunity, forming a strong defense system against various cardiac issues such as arrhythmia and bradycardia.
Additionally, regular exercises boost a person’s heart rate variability (HRV), an element used to measure the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. The higher the HRV, the more healthy and responsive their cardiovascular system will be. For this reason, people need to include some form of exercise, whether weight training, walking for an hour, jogging, swimming, cycling, or even climbing a flight of stairs multiple times, to keep their hearts healthy and keep conditions like bradycardia at bay. - Including cayenne pepper in meals
To manage conditions like bradycardia, one should always follow the guidelines provided by their healthcare provider. That said, eating the right foods, such as cayenne pepper, can also help one manage the condition. It is a heart tonic and a natural blood regulator. Capsaicin, a key ingredient in cayenne pepper, helps control blood sugar and reduce the thickening of muscle around one’s heart. Cayenne pepper also removes congestion within a person’s circulatory system. It contains essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and iron. This is why healthcare professionals suggest adding these to the meal plan for those with bradycardia. - Eating flax seeds regularly
These contain several nutrients, including vitamins B1 and B6, protein, manganese, iron, calcium, selenium, and copper. These nutrients heal and repair various facets of one’s health. Flax seeds also contain some of the most vital nutrients for one’s cardiovascular health: mucilage, lignans, and omega-3 fatty acids. Some of the benefits of consuming flax seeds regularly include lowering one’s blood pressure, reducing one’s cholesterol levels, and reducing the possibility of developing atherosclerosis. Many pediatric bradycardia treatment experts recommend that children with this heart condition be fed flax seeds regularly. - Reducing stress
Stress is a major cause of many health conditions, such as bradycardia. To keep stress levels in check, one can practice daily meditation and other mindfulness exercises. These exercises involve slow, rhythmic breathing that helps to keep blood pressure and other heart-related conditions at bay. Doing them regularly also greatly reduces the possibility of developing bradycardia.