Sinus bradycardia explained

Sinus bradycardia
Symptoms:
  • lightheadedness
  • dizziness
  • hypotension
  • vertigo
  • syncope

Sinus bradycardia is a sinus rhythm with a reduced rate of electrical discharge from the sinoatrial node, resulting in a bradycardia, a heart rate that is lower than the normal range (60–100 beats per minute for adult humans).[1] [2]

Signs and symptoms

The decreased heart rate can cause a decreased cardiac output resulting in symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, hypotension, vertigo, and syncope.[3] The slow heart rate may also lead to atrial, junctional, or ventricular ectopic rhythms.

Bradycardia is not necessarily problematic. People who practice sports may have sinus bradycardia, because their trained hearts can pump enough blood in each contraction to allow a low resting heart rate. Sinus bradycardia can also be an adaptive advantage; for example, diving seals may have a heart rate as low as 12 beats per minute, helping them to conserve oxygen during long dives.[4]

Sinus bradycardia is a common condition found in both healthy individuals and those who are considered well-conditioned athletes.[5]

Heart rates considered bradycardic vary by species; for example, in the house cat, a rate of under 120 beats per minute is abnormal. Generally, smaller species have higher and larger species lower rates.[6]

Pathophysiology & etiology

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of sinus bradycardia can be confirmed by an electrocardiogram that shows the following characteristics:[1]

Taking a thorough medical history and physical exam by healthcare providers can also help with narrowing differential diagnosis. Any recent changes to patient's medication history, new symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations, family history of sinus bradycardia, physical exam that reveals cyanosis, peripheral edema, altered mental status, dyspnea, rales and crackles are all relevant information to consider for differential diagnosis.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hafeez . Yamama . Grossman . Shamai A. . vanc . Sinus Bradycardia . 2020. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL). StatPearls Publishing. 29630253. 2020-07-27.
  2. Web site: Sinus Bradycardia . 2020-07-28. Cedars-Sinai. en-US.
  3. Web site: Bradycardia - Signs and Symptoms CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology . 2022-05-17 . CardioSmart . en.
  4. Thornton SJ, Hochachka PW . Oxygen and the diving seal . Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine . 31 . 1 . 81–95 . 2004 . 15233163 .
  5. Book: Salyer SW . Chapter 2 - Cardiology . Salyer SW . Essential emergency medicine: for the healthcare practitioner . 2007 . Saunders/Elsevier . 978-1-4160-2971-7 . 37–96 .
  6. Milani-Nejad N, Janssen PM . Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages . Pharmacology & Therapeutics . 141 . 3 . 235–49 . March 2014 . 24140081 . 3947198 . 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.10.007 .
  7. Web site: Electrocardiogram Waves . 2022-05-17 . en.my-ekg.com . en.