A slow heart rate usually occurs when an adult’s heart rate is below 60 beats per minute when normally at rest. Therefore, a slowed pulse is also known as a slowed heartbeat or, medically, as bradycardia.
This does not always have to be a pathological cause; instead, a slow pulse can be quite normal in trained athletes or young people. Bradycardia but can also be signs of serious diseases such as structural heart disease, coronary artery disease, a shut-down metabolism as hypothermia and hypothyroidism be and are just for older people a real threat (hypothyroidism) or poisoning or drug overdoses. Accordingly, symptoms such as dizziness , severe physical weakness or poor circulation should be used and fainting, a doctor must be consulted in order to clarify the causes of the symptoms and to be able to treat any bradycardia accordingly.
Table of Contents
- Definition and symptoms
- causes
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Showcase disease
- Hypothermia (hypothermia)
- typhus
- Yellow fever
- Other causes of slow pulse
- Bradycardia atrial fibrillation
- Therapy of an underactive thyroid
- Treatment of a shop window illness
- Treatment for hypothermia
- Treatment for typhoid
- Therapy for yellow fever
- Treatment of bradycardic atrial fibrillation
- Naturopathy
Home remedies for a low heart rate
Proper nutrition and regular exercise are the most important measures to have a positive effect on the pulse in a natural way.
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Definition and symptoms
A slow pulse is a cardiac arrhythmia (bradycardia) in which the heart rate at rest is less than 60 beats per minute. The heartbeat occurs completely “automatically” through the sinus node in the right atrium, which, as its own clock, triggers the electrical stimuli for the heartbeat itself and transmits them through the cardiac muscle’s excitation system. The pulse – which can be felt on the inside of the wrist on the side of the thumb – usually remains constant, even an increase in frequency during exercise is not abrupt, but gradually and gradually flattens out again. In an adult, healthy person, the heart normally beats about 60 to 80 times per minute when at rest,Stress increase up to 160-200 beats per minute.
Less than 50 beats per minute is too slow a pulse. Image: stokkete-fotolia
During sleep, on the other hand, a low pulse is quite normal, as the body functions are throttled down to the bare minimum. Young and well-trained people also often have a low pulse of up to 40 beats per minute. However, this does not represent a health problem, but is an expression of a young, healthy or very well trained heart, which is able to pump sufficient blood for the oxygen supply through the body even with a few beats. The prerequisite here, however, is that the person concerned feels well and fit – because a slow pulse is also a sign of a serious heart rhythm disorder or a disease such as hypothyroidism or typhoidbe. It is important that a low pulse (heart rate) is clearly differentiated from low blood pressure, because the blood pressure can be in the normal range or even too high despite a slow pulse.
If the pulse is slow, in most cases there are no typical symptoms, rather this is often detected by chance during examinations in connection with other complaints or as part of preventive examinations or health check-ups. However, if the heartbeat rate becomes so slow that the brain can no longer be adequately supplied with blood, dizziness, severe exhaustion and physical weakness occur, which can lead to circulatory collapse (syncope); a slow pulse can also be the cause in older people be for sudden confusion.
causes
A slow or low pulse does not always have to be due to a pathological cause – because (competitive) athletes in particular usually have a lower resting pulse and a slower heartbeat as a result of regular endurance training. A comparatively low pulse can also occur in young people, which – provided the person concerned feels well – also does not mean any danger, but rather speaks for a young, healthy heart that can pump enough blood for the oxygen supply through the body with a few beats . Electrolyte disturbances are also a possible cause. However, a slow pulse can also be a sign of a serious illness – therefore, in the case of dizziness or severe fatigue or physical weakness, a precise medical evaluation of the symptoms is essential.
The pulse can naturally vary, but if the measurements repeatedly determine that the values are too low, the causes should be clarified. (Image: Tim Reckmann / pixelio.de)
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
A cause of a slow pulse can, for example, be an underactive thyroid (medical: hypothyroidism). This is a widespread inadequate supply of the body with the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), especially among women. This undersupply can be congenital, but it is much more common in the course of life through the loss or destruction of thyroid tissue, for example as a result of an autoimmune disease ( Hashimoto’s thyroiditis ), thyroid surgery, radiation of the thyroid or the use of certain medications (e.g. anti-thyroid drugs ).
In rare cases, an underactive thyroid can also be caused by an extreme iodine deficiency, which is a vital trace element because, as a component of the thyroid hormones, it is involved in growth, bone formation and the development of the brain. If there is a deficiency in thyroid hormones, this has a negative or slowing effect on the metabolic processes and performance, which is noticeable in symptoms such as severe fatigue , listlessness, depression , weight gain and a slow pulse and, as a result, increased sensitivity to cold. Often there is also dry and brittle skin and brittle hair.
Showcase disease
If the pulse on the leg or foot is very slow or barely palpable, the cause can also be “peripheral arterial occlusive disease” (PAD for short), which is also known colloquially as “smoker’s leg”. This is a disruption of the arterial blood flow in the legs (or arms), which is usually caused by a vascular narrowing (stenosis) or even a vascular occlusion (occlusion) of the arteries supplying the legs and arms, which in turn are in in most cases the result of arteriosclerosis (” hardening of the arteries “).
Due to the restricted blood circulation, the muscles of the extremities are no longer adequately supplied with oxygen, so that severe pain occurs especially when exercising and long walking without a break is often almost impossible. Therefore, those affected are usually forced to take regular breaks, which is why the disease is also known as “intermittent claudication”. PAD is not a rare phenomenon, but occurs in around 20% of people over 65 years of age, with men being more often affected than women.
The dangerous thing about PAD is that arteriosclerosis can affect not only the extremities but also all other vessels in the body, which means that diseases such as coronary artery disease (CHD) and circulatory disorders of the brain through to strokes often occur in connection with the disease. The main cause of arteriosclerosis is favored by nicotine consumption, high blood pressure, increased blood lipid levels and diabetes , but there are also other risk factors such as age, disposition, overweight ( obesity ), too little exercise and an unhealthy, high-fat diet.
The symptoms of this disease depend on the stage of intermittent claudication the patient is in. While there are usually no symptoms at all at the beginning, the described pain occurs in the affected leg in the second stage, which means that only short distances can be covered without the patient being forced to stop briefly.
In the third stage, the pain also occurs at rest until, in phase four, the lack of oxygen leads to tissue destruction (necrosis), which in advanced cases can even lead to amputation. In addition to the pain, an extremely slow or missing pulse as well as a failure to heal wounds or ulcers as a result of insufficient blood flow are typical signs of PAD. In addition, in many cases the affected leg or arm becomes cold and pale from the location of the vascular change.
Hypothermia (hypothermia)
If the pulse is slowed or the heart rate falls below the normal age, this can also be caused by hypothermia of the body or tissue (hypothermia), which occurs after prolonged and strong exposure to cold. Hypothermia in certain areas of the body or parts of the body such as hands or feet can lead to frostbite (local hypothermia), and hypothermia affecting the entire body even carries the risk of serious health damage or, in the worst case, death from freezing. This form of hypothermia is particularly common in accidents in the water (drowning, shipwreck, water sports, children bathing, etc.) or in the mountains (athletes who have had an accident or mountain climbers, burial due to avalanches, etc.).
In addition to this, frostbite can also occur in caves (e.g. in water caves) due to unsuitable or inadequate clothing or a constantly low ambient temperature, as well as staying too long in a cold environment without appropriate protective clothing.
It can be particularly dangerous if one falls asleep outdoors or sits on a cold floor for a long time or lies, for example, after excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol is an extreme risk factor in this context, because it dilates the blood vessels in the skin, causing the body to give off more heat and hypothermia occurs even faster than usual.
In hypothermia – according to the existing body temperature and the symptoms – a distinction is made between three phases: The beginning is the “defense stage” or “mild hypothermia”, in which the body temperature drops to 34 degrees Celsius and the blood circulation deteriorates and the body tries to produce heat by shaking. In this phase, the person concerned is still clearly conscious, appears restless and agitated. Breathing, blood pressure and pulse rate are initially faster, anxiety or aching limbs can occur, and the skin often turns pale bluish and already feels cold.
This is followed by the exhaustion phase or “moderate hypothermia”, during which the core body temperature is 34 to 28 degrees Celsius. At this stage, the person concerned is no longer trembling, but appears sleepy and listless – but is still conscious. The sensation of pain decreases, the pulse slows down and the blood pressure drops. In addition, the hypothermia is also clearly visible externally through rigid, “frozen” facial features and a blue-gray discoloration of the skin.
In the third, so-called “paralysis stage” (severe hypothermia), the core body temperature drops to below 28 degrees Celsius, the patient is unconscious or comatose, and cardiac arrhythmias lead to respiratory and circulatory arrest. What is striking here are the wide, rigid pupils and paralysis of the muscles, as well as pulmonary edema and a greatly reduced or even disappeared pain reaction. At this stage (also known as the “apparent death phase”) it is hardly possible to determine with certainty whether the patient is still alive or has already died, because breathing can be extremely shallow or no longer perceptible and the pulse extremely slow and irregular or no longer be palpable.
typhus
The cause of a slow pulse or a slow heartbeat can also be the infectious disease typhus (Greek typhos: “haze”, “fog”), which is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi (Salmonella enterica ssp. Enterica Serovar Typhi) and, if left untreated, a dangerous one Course with possibly fatal outcome. Accordingly, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, both the disease itself and suspected and fatal cases of typhus must be reported to the responsible authorities.
Typhoid fever (also known as “typhoid fever”, “enteric fever” or “typhoid fever”) is widespread in some parts of the world – particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America – with more than 20 million people suffering from it each year and around 200,000 to die. In most cases, the pathogen is transmitted through poor hygiene when preparing food and contaminated water (smear infection); the incubation period is usually one to three weeks.
If the disease breaks out, it usually progresses in four successive stages: At the beginning, mostly unspecific complaints such as headache , body aches, fatigue, constipation and a slight fever appear , which in the following second stage after about a week within a very short time to over 40 degrees Celsius rises. In addition, there are still headaches and body aches, which gradually increase, as well as abdominal pain and slowly onset disorders of consciousness.
The high fever persists for one to three weeks in most people, but does not cause the heart to accelerate, as is often the case with fever. Instead, “typhoid fever” shows a relative bradycardia or a slow heartbeat in relation to the high fever. In this third phase, in most cases, the patients feel really ill and without energy, have no appetite and are passive and listless. In addition to this, the disease is now also externally visible, as those affected appear feverish, heated and pale.In many cases, there is also a grayish coating on the tongue and a rash on the upper body and abdomen (roseoles) as well as other symptoms such as constipation and an enlarged spleen .
In the subsequent fourth stage of the disease, the fever drops again, especially in the morning, but those affected are usually worst at this point, as they have usually lost a lot of fluid and weight due to the long high fever. Usually the pain in the gastrointestinal area increases, and instead of constipation, the typhoid-typical diarrhea , which is highly contagious, as the typhoid bacterium is in the mushy stool. This phase of the disease is most likely to develop complications such as a perforated bowelInflammation of the bone marrow or a blood clot (thrombosis, embolism). In most cases, this last stage of typhoid fever is over after five weeks at the latest and the patient is much better – however, there is a risk that the disease will return in the first few weeks.
Since typhoid is primarily transmitted via contaminated food and water, hygiene should be paid more attention to prevention, especially in areas with a high risk of infection, for example by avoiding uncooked vegetables or raw fruit and not drinking water from the tap or from bottles that have already been opened .
In addition, there is the possibility of getting vaccinated against typhoid, which can be useful, for example, for people who are planning a backpack tour in a particularly badly affected area. The vaccination is possible both as an oral oral vaccination and in the form of a syringe, is considered to be well tolerated and offers about 60 percent of those vaccinated a protection for at least one year (oral vaccination) or for up to three years (syringe form). Which typhoid vaccination is possible in each individual case and which side effects may occur should be clarified with a doctor if necessary.
Diseases of the heart. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)
Yellow fever
Another possible cause of a slow pulse is what is known as “yellow fever”. This is a viral disease that – similar to the tropical disease malaria – is transmitted by mosquitoes. The female mosquitoes of the Aedes genus play a role here, as they suck up the blood of an infected person and pass on the virus it contains with the next bite.
The yellow fever virus belongs to the family of the so-called “flaviviruses”, which also cause dengue fever and early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) and occurs in equatorial Africa as well as in Central and South America. In Europe, on the other hand, no more yellow fever cases have been reported since the 19th century, and Asia has never been affected by yellow fever either – one possible theory here is that a certain immunity due to diseases from related viruses (for example dengue virus ) could exist.
If those affected are infected with the yellow fever virus, the incubation period usually lasts three to six days, during which the virus migrates to the target organs, the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, joints, muscles and skin, and multiplies there. The severity of the illness can vary – there is often a sudden fever, headache , chills , back pain as well as nausea and vomiting and a slowed pulse of less than 60 beats per minute.
In many cases, the symptoms improve after a few days – in about every tenth case, however, a second phase of the disease follows, in which the temperature rises again, but the pulse drops at the same time to only 40 beats per minute. In addition to bleeding from mucous membranes and body orifices, blood vomiting sometimes occurs – which is why the disease is also referred to as “black vomiting”. Bleeding into the intestines is also possible, which can lead to bloody diarrhea or black stools (“tarry stools”).
In the course of more severe courses, jaundice (icetrus) or yellow eyes and yellow skin can occur as a result of the damaged liver, in some cases there is also kidney failure, which means that the urine excretion of the affected patients is limited or even entirely does not work anymore. Because of the restricted functionality of the kidneys and liver, toxic substances remain in the blood, there is a risk of blood poisoning(Sepsis), which in turn can cause damage to the brain and consequential damage such as speech disorders or tremors. The recovery phase often takes a long time in more severe cases, but usually leads to complete healing without permanent damage. If there is a very severe form of yellow fever, it can also be fatal – in more than half of the cases, however, this also heals after a certain time.
Other causes of slow pulse
In addition to this, various drugs such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem can be used as triggers for a low pulse. The same applies to increased intracranial pressure, for example as a result of a brain tumor, a severe skull injury or a stroke. In sick sinus syndrome, the sinus node, the heart’s clock generator, gets out of sync and fails or only emits slow impulses. A pacemaker is required here.
The so-called “coronary heart disease” (short: CHD) can also be the cause of bradycardia, which is a circulatory disorder of the heart muscle, which occurs as a result of narrowed coronary arteries. The main symptom of CHD is angina pectoris (chest tightness), an attack-like pain in the chest, which can also radiate into the shoulders and arms, upper abdomen and back, down the neck to the lower jaw. As the disease progresses, the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, gradual cardiac insufficiency, a heart attack and sudden cardiac death (seconds death) increases.
Bradycardia atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation can also be the cause of a slow pulse. This is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias in adults, which occurs in every third person affected without a recognizable underlying disease and without a recognizable cause. With atrial fibrillation, the heart gets “out of step”, so to speak, as the atria pass on fast, uncontrolled, “flickering” impulses to the ventricles. The atrial fibrillation rate is between 350 and 600 beats per minute, which means that the heart can no longer perform its vital pumping function undisturbed and the blood flow becomes irregular. As a result, the blood builds up in the atria of the heart, where it can clump and form blood clots. There is a serious danger here because there is a risk that the clot will come off,Stroke .
Atrial fibrillation can occur as a tachycardiac arrhythmia in which the heart chambers beat too quickly (heart rate greater than 100) or as a bradycardiac arrhythmia in which the chambers beat too slowly (heart rate lower than 60). A distinction is also made between a seizure-like, temporary (paroxysmal) or permanent (permanent) condition, with the risk of a stroke caused by a blood clot being particularly high with permanent atrial fibrillation.
In bradycardic atrial fibrillation (medical: bradyarrhythmia absoluta), the movements of the atria are only passed on to the ventricles at a slow frequency, which results in a slow heart rhythm or a low pulse. This very often leads to dizziness as well as fainting or unconsciousness, but in very rare cases bradycardiac atrial fibrillation does not cause any symptoms at all.
This form of cardiac arrhythmia can be caused by various diseases, for example coronary artery disease (CHD), a heart valve defect, a heart muscle disease or disorders of the electrolyte balance. In addition, some medications can also cause bradycardiac atrial fibrillation, including calcium antagonists (for example for high blood pressure) or cardiac glycosides or digitalis (to strengthen the heart). However, digitalis should never be taken without consulting a doctor and should not be potentiated lower than D6 when used homeopathically.
Therapy of an underactive thyroid
If an underactive thyroid is the cause of the slowed pulse, drugs are usually prescribed to compensate for the hormone deficiency (L-thyroxine, levothyroxine). If these are taken regularly and in the appropriate dosage after consultation with the doctor, those affected usually do not experience any restrictions, but can achieve the same level of performance as those who are not affected. Unfortunately, there is no direct prevention against an underactive thyroid, as the causes can be very different and in most cases cannot be traced back to external causes. If the disease can only be attributed to a lack of iodine in rare cases, the iodine supply can generally be improved by increasing the consumption of sea salt, sea fish and algae products.
Treatment of a shop window illness
If peripheral arterial occlusive disease or “intermittent claudication” is the cause of a slowed pulse, the therapy primarily aims to consistently minimize the risk factors – because this is the only way to get the disease under control and further incidents to prevent. Accordingly, those affected should stop smoking immediately and, if necessary, lose excess weight; in addition, sufficient exercise must be ensured and a healthy, balanced diet must generally be observed. In addition, it is important to treat other existing diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus as well as possible, since this can also be the cause of the peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
In the initial stage, appropriate gymnastic exercises and a doctor-coordinated “walking exercise” are also suitable to mobilize the patient to the extent that he can gradually cover longer distances again without a break. At the same time, “platelet aggregation inhibitors” (especially acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA for short) are often prescribed to prevent blood platelets from clumping together and thus possible blood clots. If other measures (such as catheter measures) are not sufficient to remove the constriction, drugs to promote blood flow (prostanoids) via the vein can also be used in advanced stages three and four.
The further treatment steps for PAOD depend on the stage of the disease and the location of the vascular changes. There are various surgical options, but these are no guarantee that the narrowing or the occlusion will not repeat. If there is a vascular occlusion or a narrowing of only a few millimeters, the area can be stretched with the help of a balloon catheter (angioplasty). If stretching is not possible due to a rigid constriction, there is still the option of peeling off the deposits (thrombus arteriectomy), and if necessary a stent or stent can be used to counteract further constriction.
However, if the vascular change extends over a larger area, in many cases a bypass operation is performed on the vessels of the leg, in which either a vein or a Teflon tube is used as a “diversion” for the constricted vessel. However, if the blood circulation deteriorates so much in the course of the PAD that necrosis occurs and the tissue dies, the last option is amputation.
Especially in the later phases of PAD, in addition to therapeutic measures and medication, those affected should also ensure consistent medical care of legs and feet, because even the smallest injuries can quickly develop into ulcers under PAOD and increase the risk of tissue death. In this context, for example, toenails should always be cut very carefully and footwear that fits perfectly, is not too tight and is also breathable should be worn for every occasion. On the other hand, walking barefoot should be avoided, as small injuries to the skin can quickly occur here too.
Treatment for hypothermia
If there is hypothermia or frostbite, immediate and correctly deployed first aid can be decisive for the success of further treatment. It is generally important to follow the so-called “rescue chain”, which first and foremost means paying attention to your own protection and securing the scene of the accident and calling 112 an emergency.
Furthermore, it should be ensured that the patient is carefully transported away, ideally in a warm room, but at least in an area with no wind. The person affected should lie flat and, if possible, not be moved; in addition, they must be wrapped in blankets or a rescue blanket to maintain the warmth – the gold-silver foil can only fulfill its function if it is not directly on the skin, In addition, only the trunk should initially be covered in order to avoid a so-called “rescue death”. This term describes the death of a supposedly rescued person shortly after the rescue, which can occur in the case of hypothermia due to strong movements or too rapid warming. The reason: If a person is exposed to cold temperatures over a long period of time, the body concentrates the warm blood in the vital organs and instead restricts the blood flow to the skin or in the more distant parts of the body such as fingers, toes, nose and ears. This gradually creates a difference between the temperature in the outer body shell and that inside the body (body core).
If the patient is straightened up or arms and legs are lifted and massaged, for example, the cold blood flows back from the remote extremities to the center of the body or to the heart, causing the core temperature to drop further, which in the worst case can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest can.
Accordingly, first aid should always be proceeded with extreme care and consideration by avoiding abrupt movements and rapid warming up of the patient and by continuously monitoring and checking the vital functions (breathing, body temperature and circulation) until the emergency service arrives.
Another common first aid measure in case of hypothermia is the “Hibler heat pack” through which – until the rescue team arrives – further heat loss and rewarming of the body to approx. 36 ° C can be achieved. For this purpose, after the wet clothing has been removed, the torso of the person concerned is covered with a towel, which has previously been soaked in water at around 40 ° C. The patient is then wrapped in additional blankets, clothing or a rescue blanket, whereby the extremities must also remain free in order to minimize the risk of a rescue death.
If the hypothermia is mild, the wet clothing should be carefully removed and slowly rewarmed, for example with a hot water bottle, a grain pillow and warm drinks. However, if the hypothermic is already in the paralysis stage, cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures must be taken immediately in the event of respiratory arrest and cardiovascular arrest – however, this should be carried out in one go until the body warms up to a normal core body temperature Has. This applies even if the patient appears dead due to the rigidity, because with hypothermia the principle applies: “Nobody is dead as long as they are not warm and dead”. In order not to take any risk by moving the person affected, the clothing must be removed with scissors, In addition, rewarming measures may only be undertaken very slowly and with sparing of the extremities. If the ambulance service takes care of the hypothermic, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is continued if necessary and oxygen is supplied if necessary.
Treatment for typhoid
If the infectious disease typhoid is responsible for the slow pulse, antibiotics are usually used; in more severe cases, high-dose cortisone preparations are also prescribed. In addition to medication, it is particularly important in typhoid that the patient drinks a lot in order to prevent dehydration, which can occur quickly due to violent diarrhea. Since the typhoid bacterium “Salmonella Typhi” is in the feces, it is better not to stop the diarrhea with medication but to endure it in order to get the pathogen out of the intestine as quickly as possible.
Therapy for yellow fever
If a slow pulse occurs as a result of yellow fever, the therapeutic measures are currently still relatively limited, as there is as yet no drug against the yellow fever virus. Accordingly, the focus of the treatment is on alleviating the symptoms (for example painkillers, fever-lowering measures), although in many cases only slight or even no symptoms arise. However, if the disease takes a more severe course, intensive care is often necessary – here, however, it is important that the relevant clinic is appropriately equipped and has the necessary experience with regard to tropical diseases.
Since there are currently no corresponding drugs for the treatment of yellow fever, one can only try to prevent infection as far as possible. Therefore, when planning a trip to a risky region, greater attention should be paid to mosquito protection, for example by wearing wide, light-colored clothing and sturdy shoes and impregnating the clothing and mosquito nets with mosquito repellants. In addition, sufficient skin protection should of course always be ensured.
In addition to these measures, there is also the possibility of a vaccination against yellow fever, which is urgently recommended by the Federal Foreign Office when traveling to a yellow fever distribution area – in addition, many countries require proof of vaccination when entering the country if you come from a corresponding area . Vaccination is usually done with a live vaccine made from attenuated yellow fever viruses, which is very effective and usually very well tolerated and which should provide protection for about ten years after ten days. It should be noted, however, that there can be side effects such as redness, swelling, slight pain at the vaccination site and headache, in rare cases a flu-like fever occurs, sometimes accompanied by severe fatigue, joint pain,Nausea and vomiting , stomach pain or diarrhea. Even if these vaccine reactions are usually quite mild, children under six months of age should not be vaccinated, nor should pregnant or breastfeeding women or the elderly or
People with a weak immune system. In addition to this, the vaccine is also not suitable for people with a chicken protein allergy, as allergic reactions with swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat, hives or urticaria or shortness of breath can occur within minutes (but sometimes only after hours) , which in severe cases up to one allergic shock.
Treatment of bradycardic atrial fibrillation
If a slow or bradycardic atrial fibrillation could be diagnosed by means of an electrocardiogram (EKG), there is a possibility of therapy in the discontinuation or reduced intake of causative drugs (e.g. calcium channel blockers or beta blockers). If medication can be excluded as a trigger, pacemaker therapy can be considered, which can help the patient to regain a regular heart rhythm. The pacemaker is usually implanted relatively quickly and easily by locally numbing an area below the collarbone and then making a small skin incision.
With this “gentle” method, patients can usually leave the hospital the day after the implantation, but must avoid larger movements with the shoulder side where the pacemaker is located in the first few days so that the electrodes do not move. In addition to pacemaker therapy, there is also the possibility of drug-based throttling of blood clotting, since the irregular atrial movements can lead to dangerous blood clots (thrombosis) in the atria. Accordingly, those affected should definitely seek treatment even if they are otherwise free of symptoms in order to reduce the risk of a stroke.
Naturopathy
Since a slow pulse can have very different causes and just as different complaints, it must first be clarified by conventional medicine what is behind the symptom. If a serious illness could be ruled out, the field of naturopathy offers a wide range of options which – depending on the cause of the bradycardia – can gently help alleviate symptoms.
If the cause of a slow pulse is, for example, an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), therapy for more severe forms usually consists of the daily administration of an individually adjusted thyroid hormone preparation, which in most cases must be taken for life. In the case of mild hypofunction, but also in parallel to conventional treatment, naturopathic treatment methods can very successfully help alleviate symptoms. This includes, among other things, a diet rich in iodine through the regular consumption of sea fish, seafood, algae products and sea salt if the thyroid gland or the iodine deficiency is underactive.
In herbal medicine and phytotherapy, medicinal plants with a high natural iodine content are primarily used for hypothyroidism, such as ivy, shepherd’s purse, sea pear and thyme, all of which are said to have a stimulating effect on the thyroid gland. Homeopathy also offers a multitude of remedies for an underactive thyroid: Calcium Carbonicum (oyster shell lime), Graphites or Pulsatilla are particularly suitable – which preparation exactly fits the respective patient and can therefore also have a healing effect can only be determined with a detailed anamnesis a homeopathic doctor or alternative practitioner decide.
Even cell salts are enjoying increasing popularity in the alternative medical field. Salts No. 7 (Magnesium phosphoricum) and No. 14 (Kalium bromatum) and, in the case of iodine deficiency, Salt No. 15 (Kalium iodatum) are often used if the thyroid is underactive. In addition to this, the so-called ” Baunscheidttherapie ” also offers“An alternative medical method for treating hypothyroidism. This is a “discharge procedure” developed by Carl Baunscheidt (1809-1873), in which a special needling device (“life alarm clock”) is used to pierce the skin 1 to 2 mm deep and then use a special one Baunscheidt oil is rubbed in. The aim of this non-painful treatment is, above all, an increased blood flow in the treated area, which among other things relieves the internal organs and should have a positive effect on their functionality.
In general, the herbal homeopathic Digitalis purpurea, which is obtained from the red foxglove, which contains highly effective, poisonous ingredients in all parts of the plant, has proven itself in alternative medical treatment with a slow, weak and irregular pulse.
Digitalis purpurea strengthens the heart and takes away the uncomfortable feeling that the heart has suddenly stopped, which is usually associated with great anxiety and physical exhaustion. The homeopathic is mostly used in the form of globules that can be melted under the tongue. It is recommended here to take 5 tablets three times a day in the potency D3 to D6 – the exact dose or potency should, however, be discussed individually with a doctor, pharmacist or alternative practitioner so that the agent can work optimally. In this context, it is also advisable to avoid tea and coffee during the treatment and to take the globules outside of meals.
If there is general heart failure (heart failure) with bradycardia, the remedies Thevetia neriifolia in the potency D2 to D4 or Veratrum viride in the potency D3 to D4 have also proven to be effective remedies – here too, however, no self-medication should be carried out without prior consultation with an expert , precisely because the correct dosage can vary from case to case.
With regard to nutrition, those affected can do a lot to counteract a slow pulse: Hazelnuts, coffee and garlic are among the best-known home remedies , and you should always make sure to drink enough – in the best case unsweetened tea and mineral water.
In addition, a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables should generally be observed for a strong heart. It is advisable to only consume fatty pork and beef in moderation and to replace it with lean poultry meat. In addition, fish should have a permanent place on the menu, as it is known for its positive and strengthening effect on the circulation and metabolism. In addition to diet, regular exercise is also helpful in getting your heart rate up a bit, and even a short daily walk or a ride to work by bike is a good start to do something for your own heart health
