Tachycardia Vs Bradycardia And Heart Calcium Deposit Explained

Tachycardia and Bradycardia are two abnormal heart rates, measured in beats per minute. They might sound similar, but the main difference between Tachycardia and Bradycardia is that they are opposite to one another. In Tachycardia, the heart beats faster, while in bradycardia, it beats slower than is considered normal. Between 60 and 100 heartbeats per minute is considered normal. 

While it is true that not every heart beats within the normal range, Tachycardia and Bradycardia certainly signal a serious health problem. So it becomes crucial to know one's resting heart rate.

Tachycardia: The Reason Why

Some of the common reasons for the occurrence of faster heartbeats are:

·        Extreme physical activity

·        Strong emotions including Fear, Panic, Stress & Anxiety

·        Pain or Fever

·        Hypertension

·        Heart disease

At a faster heart rate, the heart fails to get the optimum amount of blood between each beat. This is dangerous as the heart fails to supply an optimum amount of blood to the vital organs, in turn reducing the supply of oxygen to the organs and the extremities of the body.

Bradycardia: The Reason Why

While athletes and the elderly are likely to have slower heart rates, a few of the most common reasons for slower heart rates are:

• Heart complications, or post-heart surgery effects

• Breathing issues

• Hypothyroidism 

When the heart beats at a slower rate, it fails to pump enough blood at normal speed. Thus, the organs fail to receive enough blood and oxygen, which subsequently becomes the reason for other health concerns.

The Tachy-Brady Syndrome

Usually, people experience one of these two heart rate conditions, but in rare cases, Tachy-Brady syndrome is noticed in one person. A condition where the heart alternates between beating slower and faster at different times.

When To Seek Medical Attention:

A person must seek Immediate medical attention when they experience:

• Chest Pain

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

Amongst other factors, one of the main reasons for the blood supply not reaching the heart properly is calcium deposits in the heart, especially in the coronary arteries. Medically known as coronary artery calcification, it is a strong predictor of cardiovascular diseases and heart complications.

If left unchecked and not addressed on time, this calcium buildup reflects in chest pain and other heart attack symptoms. Its science is simple: when calcium deposits in the arteries, it gradually narrows the arteries and reduces the oxygen-rich blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to symptoms like chest pain or sometimes even a heart attack or stroke.

How To Diagnose Coronary Calcification On Time

Heart health is precious, so whether a heart patient or not, everyone must get their heart health checked regularly. For the Coronary Calcification, however, a simple non-invasive Cardiac CT Scan called Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) can show the amount of Calcium deposited in the arteries. Over time, this test has proved to be effective in predicting future heart health complications.

Lifestyle is the first cure for a healthy heart

In more than most cases of heart complications, it requires elaborate medical intervention, yet a heart-healthy lifestyle is considered to be the most crucial in the management of heart health and also in the recovery from heart treatments. Before heart disease, it works as a precaution, as post-treatment it works as a cure.

In the management of Tachycardia, Bradycardia and also when there are calcium deposits in the heart, a heart-healthy lifestyle is as effective as medication in reducing the symptoms of heart complications. Below are some of the heart-healthy practices that you could follow to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

• Follow a strict heart-healthy diet plan. Avoid excessive salts and sugars, unsaturated fats, processed foods, and eat organic, nutrient-rich foods that fuel your body with much-needed minerals and vitamins, without the burden of bad cholesterol and the risk of calcium deposits.

• Keep away from tobacco products, limit your indulgence with alcohol, and minimise your caffeine intake. They’re all bad for the heart. 

• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day. While it strengthens your heart muscle, this practice also improves blood flow. 

• Obesity is one of the primary causes of heart complications, as it makes your heart work harder, and that too not in a good way. Maintain a healthy weight. Consult your healthcare professional to devise a plan for you on how to manage your weight.

Conclusion:

Taking care of the heart is not hard at all! It starts with discipline, and it’s all about controlling your urges. The heart is designed by nature to beat continuously, and if properly cared for, it can go on for a long time. Breath properly, keep your nervous system calm, eat good portions of healthy food, stay active, and most importantly, keep your blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels in check. Rest, the heart does all by itself. Remember that your heart has its own rhythm, if you feel it’s beating faster or slower than it normally does, consult your doctor immediately to avoid the risk of further heart complications.