DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS MANUAL
Bradycardia, a heart rate below 60 beats per minute (bpm), can be a challenging clinical phenomenon. Various causes may be at play, and understanding them is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management. Below, we explore some of the most common causes of bradycardia and how to identify them.
Causes | Symptoms and Signs | Diagnostic Tests |
Athlete’s Heart | Heart adaptation to training | Minimal symptoms, physiological bradycardia |
Medications | Side effects of certain drugs | Fatigue, dizziness, syncope |
Sinoatrial Disease | Sinus node dysfunction | Dizziness, weakness, syncope |
Ventricular or Supraventricular Bigeminy | Arrhythmias like bigeminy | Palpitations, dizziness |
Acute Myocardial Infarction | Acute myocardial infarction | Chest pain, fatigue, sweating |
Hypothyroidism | Decreased thyroid function | Fatigue, cold intolerance |
Hypothermia | Lowered body temperature | Confusion, shivering, cold skin |
Severe Electrolyte Imbalances | Electrolyte imbalances, especially low potassium levels | Muscle weakness, palpitations |
Comments