Dizziness Due to Low Heart Rate - Bradycardia

Marked left axis deviation (LAD) – is a condition where the heart's electrical axis deviates to the left, falling between -30° and -90°. It's one of the most common ECG abnormalities and can indicate the possibility of structural heart disease.

Some causes of LAD include:

· Left anterior fascicular block

· Left ventricular hypertrophy

· Atrial septal defect

· AV canal

· Inlet ventricular septal defects

· Tricuspid atresia

· Thickened left ventricle

· Conduction defects

· Inferior wall myocardial infarction

· Pre-excitation syndrome

LAD can be treated with:

· Antihypertensive therapy, such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers

· Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes, regular exercise, and weight management

Bradycardia is a low heart rate and can cause dizziness.

Symptoms

· A slower than typical heartbeat (bradycardia) can prevent the brain and other organs from getting enough oxygen, possibly causing these signs and symptoms:

· Chest pain

· Confusion or memory problems

· Dizziness or lightheadedness

· Easily tiring during physical activity

· Fatigue

· Fainting (syncope) or near-fainting

· Shortness of breath

Causes

Bradycardia can be caused by:

· Heart tissue damage related to aging

· Damage to heart tissues from heart disease or heart attack

· A heart condition present at birth (congenital heart defect)

· Inflammation of heart tissue (myocarditis)

· A complication of heart surgery

· An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)

· Imbalance of chemicals in the blood, such as potassium or calcium

· Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)

· Inflammatory disease, such as rheumatic fever or lupus

· Certain medications, including sedatives, opioids, and drugs used to treat heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and certain mental health disorders

Heart block (atrioventricular block)

Bradycardia can also occur if the heart's electrical signals don't move correctly from the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles). If this occurs, the condition is called heart block, or atrioventricular block.

Heart blocks fall into three main groups.

· First-degree heart block.
In the mildest form, all electrical signals from the atria reach the ventricles, but the signal is slowed. First-degree heart block rarely causes symptoms and usually needs no treatment if there's no other problem in electrical signaling.

· Second-degree heart block.
Not all electrical signals reach the ventricles. Some beats are dropped, resulting in a slower and sometimes irregular heart rhythm.

· Third-degree (complete) heart block.
None of the electrical signals from the atria reaches the ventricles. When this happens, the ventricles will usually beat on their own but at a very slow rate.

Risk factors

Bradycardia is often associated with damage to heart tissue from some type of heart disease. Anything that increases the risk of heart problems can increase the risk of bradycardia. Risk factors for heart disease include:

· Older age

· High blood pressure

· Smoking

· Heavy alcohol use

· Illegal drug use

· Stress and anxiety

Healthy-lifestyle changes or medical treatment may help lower the risk of heart disease.

Complications

Possible complications of bradycardia can include:

· Frequent fainting

· Inability of the heart to pump enough blood (heart failure)

· Sudden cardiac arrest or sudden death

Prevention

Bradycardia can be caused by certain medications, particularly if they are taken at high doses, so it's important to take all medications as directed. Although bradycardia is not typically preventable, health care providers recommend strategies to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Take the following heart-healthy steps:

· Get regular exercise. Your health care provider may give you recommendations about how much and what type of exercise is best for you.

· Eat a healthy diet. Choose a healthy, low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

· Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk of developing heart disease.

· Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Make lifestyle changes and take medications as prescribed to manage high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

· Don't smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your health care provider about strategies or programs to help.

· If you drink, do so in moderation. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. If you can't control your alcohol use, talk to a health care provider about a program to quit drinking and manage other behaviors related to alcohol abuse.

· Manage stress. Intense emotions may affect heart rate. Some ways to relieve stress are getting regular exercise, joining a support group and trying relaxation techniques, such as yoga.

· Go to scheduled checkups. Have regular physical exams and report signs or symptoms to your health care provider.

Monitor and treat existing heart disease

If you already have heart disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing bradycardia or another heart rhythm disorder:

· Follow the plan. Be sure you understand your treatment plan. Take all medications as prescribed.

· Report changes immediately. If your symptoms change or worsen or you develop new symptoms, tell your health care provider immediately.