Sinus Bradycardia

SINUS BRADYCARDIA

07/10/2014

Pathophysiology

HIM 1435

Reference # 403655

E.U. Thomas MS RHIA

Florida State College of Jacksonville

The heart is made up of four chambers two upper (atria) chambers and to lower chambers (ventricles), and the rhythm of the heart is controlled by the sinoatrial node or sinus node. The sinus node electrical impulses travel across the atria to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood out to the lungs and body. Heart rate considered bradycardic differ by species, in humans bradycardia is generally defined to be a rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute. But un the common housecat, a rate of under 120 beats per minute is abnormal. Many different factors can contribute to problems with the heart electrical system. This rhythm may be cause by one of the following: medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta blockers, high blood pressure, complication of heart surgery, inflammatory disease such as lupus and also age-related wear and tear to the heart muscle.

Sign and symptoms of decreased heart rate can cause an abnormal cardiac output resulting in symptoms such as syncope (fainting) which usually happens when there is a prolonged pause in the heart rate. This pause occurs when the sinus is not normal, the sinus node requires seconds to wake up and begin generating electrical impulses. At that time the heart may stop beating for a couple of seconds, causing lightheadedness which is also another sign of Bradycardia. Other signs and symptoms are: dizziness spells, chest pains, shortness of breath and a sensation of fluttering heartbeats, also other sign and symptoms are because of reduced blood flow to the brain when the heart beats too slow or too fast.

In order to diagnose this condition the doctor will review the patient’s medical records, he/she will then review the family’s history and then perform a physical exam. The doctor might also order addition series of diagnostic test to identify the...