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What Causes Bradycardia With Normal Cardiac Test Reports?
Question: Hello I am A 54 year old female. I have recently been undergoing cardiac tests to discover why I have bradycardia. My bp is usually approx 110/65 - 91/63 py pulse is generally between 45 - 49 bpm. I have had blood tests which were allin the normal range except for the NT-Pro BNp which was 186 with the upper normal level being 125! The echocardiogram showed all normal apart from a slight murmur! I performed well on the treadmill with 10 seconds at stage 4 and bp from 116/73 to 191/87, heart rate XXXXXXX fro 71 to 169. 24 hour tape showed no particular arrhythmias but did show extra systoles. The low pulse has been a problem since I started menopause. I also have trouble breathing when lying down. My chest x Ray is clear but I do have an extra cervical rib. I am 5 ft 6 and I weigh 190 pounds! Despite regular exercise of walking for an hour every other day plus exercise dance class 3 times a week and eating only 1300 calories a day I have gained 42 pounds in 3 years since starting menopause! My brother who is 10 years older died this week of sudden cardiac death! I would like to know if anyone has any idea what could be causing my bradycardia! I want to be able to fly to XXXXXXX but have been advised against flying as my pulse is under 50! I am afraid that my heart may also just stop!!
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms may be related to menopause and hormonal imbalance that follow it. This is why is essential to check hormonal balance especially thyroid hormones, because hypothyroidism may cause bradicardia.
It's a good thing that ECG, ECHO, stress test and Holter 24 hour monitoring were normal ( apart some extra systoles) and you should run the 72 hours monitoring as scheduled by your cardiologist.
If no abnormality will be seen than you can go safely to XXXXXXX Meanwhile i suggest to continue with healthy life style and diet and exercising to prevent future heart problems. You should repeat cardiac examinations (ECG, ECHO, Stress test and Holter monitoring) every year for the early diagnosis of any cardiac disease.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms may be related to menopause and hormonal imbalance that follow it. This is why is essential to check hormonal balance especially thyroid hormones, because hypothyroidism may cause bradicardia.
It's a good thing that ECG, ECHO, stress test and Holter 24 hour monitoring were normal ( apart some extra systoles) and you should run the 72 hours monitoring as scheduled by your cardiologist.
If no abnormality will be seen than you can go safely to XXXXXXX Meanwhile i suggest to continue with healthy life style and diet and exercising to prevent future heart problems. You should repeat cardiac examinations (ECG, ECHO, Stress test and Holter monitoring) every year for the early diagnosis of any cardiac disease.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My thyroid function is normal on blood tests as per the letter from the specialist! What other hormones could cause bradycardia!
Brief Answer:
You should check for other hormones, estrogen, cortisolemia, aldosterone...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
As i mentioned above you should check for other hormones to (apart from TSH and free T4 that you have already did). I would recommned to measure estrogen and progesteron, cortisolemia and aldosterone levels in blood.
Although thyroid hormones directly influence the heart work and rate other hormones interfere indirectly on that to, especially estrogen. On the brain centers for controlling heart function and rate has been found receptors for estrogen and a decrease of the concentration of estrogen (as happen during menopause) may cause bradycardia.
Also one of the possible causes of bradycardia may be related to electrolyte imbalance (especially high potassium levels) and there are many hormonal disease that can cause bradycardia through electrolyte imbalance.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
You should check for other hormones, estrogen, cortisolemia, aldosterone...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
As i mentioned above you should check for other hormones to (apart from TSH and free T4 that you have already did). I would recommned to measure estrogen and progesteron, cortisolemia and aldosterone levels in blood.
Although thyroid hormones directly influence the heart work and rate other hormones interfere indirectly on that to, especially estrogen. On the brain centers for controlling heart function and rate has been found receptors for estrogen and a decrease of the concentration of estrogen (as happen during menopause) may cause bradycardia.
Also one of the possible causes of bradycardia may be related to electrolyte imbalance (especially high potassium levels) and there are many hormonal disease that can cause bradycardia through electrolyte imbalance.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello could you please tell me with my history above is it safe for me to fly transatlantic from London heathrow to XXXXXXX usa for my brothers funeral?
My current heart rate varies from 41 to 49 and my bp is 85/51 - 118/61
Thank you
My current heart rate varies from 41 to 49 and my bp is 85/51 - 118/61
Thank you
Brief Answer:
If you're symptomless&tolerate well bradycardia you can travel to XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
It's recommended to avoid flying if you have significant bradycardia. With significant bradycardia we intend that your bradycardia is associated with, fatigue, dispnea, dizzines and faint. If you are symptomless and tolerate well bradycardia you can travel to XXXXXXX
My suggestion is that you should drink plenty of water and supplement (especially sodium, potassium and magnesium). This will help to increase BP and HR. If you take any medication you should stop it the traveling day.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Shehu
If you're symptomless&tolerate well bradycardia you can travel to XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
It's recommended to avoid flying if you have significant bradycardia. With significant bradycardia we intend that your bradycardia is associated with, fatigue, dispnea, dizzines and faint. If you are symptomless and tolerate well bradycardia you can travel to XXXXXXX
My suggestion is that you should drink plenty of water and supplement (especially sodium, potassium and magnesium). This will help to increase BP and HR. If you take any medication you should stop it the traveling day.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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