Sinus bradycardia

Sinus bradycardia is a sinus node dysfunction giving a heart rate that is lower than the normal 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) in humans. Bradycardia is generally defined to be a heart rate of under 60 bpm.[1][2]

Sinus bradycardia
ECG of Sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 43 bpm.
SpecialtyCardiology
Symptoms
  • lightheadedness
  • dizziness
  • hypotension
  • vertigo
  • syncope
Diagnostic methodelectrocardiogram

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.[4] 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.[5]

Sinus bradycardia is a common condition found in both healthy individuals and those who are considered well-conditioned athletes.[6]

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.[7]

Pathophysiology & etiology

Rhythm strip of sinus bradycardia at 50 bpm

Diagnosis

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

  • Rate: Less than 60 beats per minute.
  • Rhythm: Regular.
  • P waves: Upright, consistent, and normal in morphology and duration.
  • PR interval: Between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds in duration.
  • QRS complex: Less than 0.12 seconds in width, and consistent in morphology.[8]

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

References

  1. Hafeez Y, Grossman SA (2020). "Sinus Bradycardia". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 29630253. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  2. "Sinus Bradycardia". Cedars-Sinai. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  3. "Bradycardia - Signs and Symptoms | CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology". CardioSmart. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  4. "Why Do Athletes Have a Lower Resting Heart Rate?". Healthline. 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  5. Thornton SJ, Hochachka PW (2004). "Oxygen and the diving seal" (PDF). Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine. 31 (1): 81–95. PMID 15233163.
  6. Salyer SW (2007). "Chapter 2 - Cardiology". In Salyer SW (ed.). Essential emergency medicine: for the healthcare practitioner. Saunders/Elsevier. pp. 37–96. ISBN 978-1-4160-2971-7.
  7. Milani-Nejad N, Janssen PM (March 2014). "Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages". Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 141 (3): 235–49. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.10.007. PMC 3947198. PMID 24140081.
  8. "Electrocardiogram Waves". en.my-ekg.com. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
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