What medical techniques are used to diagnose bradycardia?

Heart rate test can assess health status. Compared to tachycardia, bradycardia (low heart rate) is less common, but this can be a sign of health problems, can cause dangerous complications, even life-threatening. patient's life. So now, diagnose bradycardia by what medical techniques?

The heart has a pacemaker with a role to maintain a steady, rhythmic heart activity. This set of pacemakers and pacemakers includes the sinus node, the AV node, the bundle of His, and the Purkinje network. The sinus node is responsible for controlling the heart rate, generating impulses about 60-100 times/minute. The heart is rhythmically contracted by the conduction of impulses to the atrioventricular node, then to the bundle of His and the Purkinje network, and then to the whole heart.
In adults, the heart rate normally beats about 60-100 times/minute at rest.
So bradycardia will fall below 60 beats/min. For children and infants, the heart rate will change gradually with age. The younger the child, the faster the heart rate will be, specifically in newborns, the normal heart rate ranges from 120-160 times/minute. So when a newborn has a heart rate less than 100 beats / minute, the heart rate is slow.
In some of the following cases, the heart rate may beat less than 60 times / minute but is not a cause for concern:
In deep sleep Being physically active With the above cases, if the heart beat is slower, it is usually not worrying. If not falling into the above cases, slow heart rate is a sign that the body is suffering from one or more heart-related diseases.

Subjects at high risk for bradycardia:
Elderly People with high blood pressure, diabetes,... People who have a habit of smoking, drinking alcohol for a long time,... Using drugs treatment like digoxin, antiarrhythmic drugs,... long time without regular check

Some causes of bradycardia:
Congenital heart disease Ischemic heart Poisoning by chemicals or herbs Acute myocardial infarction Conduction damage Due to the influence of use Drugs People with metabolic disorders such as: Hemolysis, hyper/hypokalemia, hypothyroidism, hypoxemia,... Slow heart rate due to pathology will reduce cardiac output, blood to the brain and organs If other is also reduced, it will cause fatigue, dizziness, heart failure, fainting, even sudden death.

To diagnose bradycardia, in addition to evaluating through clinical signs, the doctor will appoint to perform a number of tests to make the most accurate conclusions:
Electrocardiogram (Electrocardiogram - ECG) This is A graph that records the changes in electrical currents inside the heart. The heart contracts with each beat and is controlled by the conduction system in the heart muscle.
The electrical currents of the heart are very small, only about a thousandth of a volt, but can be detected from electrodes placed on the patient's arms, legs and chest transmitted to the recorder. An electrocardiogram will amplify the signal and record it on an electrocardiogram.
When the heart rate slows, the ability of the heart muscle to conduct electricity changes. This abnormal change in ECG indication will be recorded. This is one of the factors that make up the important value of this subclinical electrocardiogram method.
Electrocardiogram is evaluated as a simple, fast, uncomplicated but highly accurate method, so this is the first indication to do. Recorded on the electrocardiogram will help identify the heart rate, ischemic heart disease, atrioventricular block or signs of digoxin poisoning,...
Holter electrocardiogram Holter electrocardiogram is a digital device small and light. To wear the device, a small electrode patch is placed on the patient's chest. The electrode pads connect to a wire to the holter so that the machine receives the electrical signals generated from each heartbeat. This technique does not cause pain or discomfort during wearing but is still highly effective.
The doctor will observe and monitor the electrocardiogram after 24 hours of the patient wearing it to help identify abnormalities of the heart rhythm, diagnose sinus node failure,...
Echocardiography This is one of the non-invasive methods. invasive, does not cause pain or harm to human health. Using ultrasound technology, the doctor will monitor the heart rate, structure, size and function of the heart through recorded images.

Depending on the condition and degree of bradycardia, the doctor will appoint the patient to take medicine, put a pacemaker,...
The patient needs to pay attention to monitor their own health, so:
Avoid stress mind, eliminate negative thoughts – these are the main causes that affect heart activity and blood pressure Scientific diet: Add more fiber, green vegetables, fruits, limit eating greasy, fried foods because they contain a lot of cholesterol Control your weight, exercise with gentle exercises, suitable for your own fitness Do not smoke, drink alcohol, drink coffee – these are stimulants Like to cause harm to health, especially to the heart. Go for regular health check-ups for timely detection. Periodic health checkup is one of the ways of early recognition and prevention of disease, especially for patients with signs of cardiovascular disease, from which to have a treatment plan to achieve optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package general Vip Special general health checkup package Standard general health checkup package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.