Heart Rate: Definition, Bradycardia, Tachycardia

Heart Rate: Definition, Bradycardia, Tachycardia

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Aug 22, 2024 09:38 AM IST

What Is Heart Rate?

Heart rate is the clinical measure of heart health, denoting the proper functioning of your heart. Knowing what constitutes a normal heart rate and understanding conditions like bradycardia and tachycardia will help you maintain better cardiovascular health.

Basic Concepts Of Heart Rate

Heart rate is an expression of how often your heart beats. It can be measured as the:_pulse at the wrist or the neck; numerous types of devices such as ECGs and heart rate monitors.

Normal Heart Rates

Heart rate is influenced by age. In adults, it ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. In kids, heart rates tend to be higher, which can be attributed to a faster metabolic rate and a smaller size of the heart.

Physiological Factors Establishing Normal Heart Rate

Some of the other factors that account for abnormal rates of heartbeats include physical condition, age, drug, and the amount, and level of stress. Due to the athletic heart, elite athletes have a lower resting heart rate.

Bradycardia

This is called bradycardia when the rate is normally below 60 beats per minute in a resting heart.

Symptoms Of Bradycardia

The common symptoms of bradycardia are fatigue, dizziness, dyspnoea, and fainting spells.

Causes Of Bradycardia

Damage to the heart muscle, congenital defects in the heart, hypothyroidism, and certain medications such as beta blockers and digoxin are among the main causes of bradycardia.

Diagnosis Of Bradycardia

This is diagnosed through tests such as an electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, and exercise stress tests.

Management Of Bradycardia

Treatment options include bradycardia medications, pacemakers, and lifestyle modifications.

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Tachycardia


The normal resting heart rate is above 100 bpm for adults; thus, tachycardia is considered any heart rate that is more rapid than usual.

Symptoms Of Tachycardia

The common symptoms in people experiencing tachycardia are palpitations, rapid pulse, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Causes Of Tachycardia

Tachycardia may be triggered by heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking, fever, and other stress conditions.

Diagnosis Of Tachycardia

Diagnostic tests will be performed to rule out tachycardia, including ECGs, Holter monitors, and blood tests.

How Is Tachycardia Treated?

Tachycardia is treated with medications, cardioversion, catheter ablation, and lifestyle modifications.

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Bradycardia Vs. Tachycardia

  • There are different symptoms and causes between bradycardia and tachycardia.

  • With bradycardia, the heart rate is slow, and with tachycardia, the heart rate is fast.

  • Heart rate is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and hormones. A high heart rate is achieved by the sympathetic nervous system and a low rate by the parasympathetic system.

Why It's Important To Check Your Heart Rate

Checking heart rate will enable one to establish any likely looming health complications quite early in advance. Tools to trace or monitor heart rate include wearable gadgets and smartphone apps that make it easier to keep a tab on heart conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the normal resting heart rate of an adult?

A normal rate for a resting heart of any adult is anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

2. What are the complications of untreated bradycardia?

Major complications of untreated bradycardia include heart failure, low blood pressure, and fainting.

3. Are there lifestyle changes that can control tachycardia?

Lifestyle changes, including stress reduction, quitting smoking, and regular physical activity, can, of course, help in controlling tachycardia.

4. How can bradycardia be diagnosed?

Bradycardia can be diagnosed by tests like ECGs, Holter monitors, and stress tests.

5. What are the common symptoms of tachycardia?

Common symptoms of tachycardia include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

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