Why did my heart rate suddenly become slower after usually being fast?
Disease description:
My grandfather usually has a relatively fast heart rate, but recently it has occasionally become very slow all of a sudden. I would like to ask, what could cause a heart rate that is normally fast to suddenly become slow?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xin
A sudden decrease in heart rate from a normally fast rate may be caused by multiple factors.
1. Physiological factors, such as increased vagal tone, may lead to a natural slowing of the heart rate under certain circumstances (e.g., during sleep), which is considered normal.
2. Medication factors are also common causes. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, can affect cardiac electrical activity and result in a slower heart rate.
3. Pathological factors, such as hypothyroidism, hyperkalemia, myocardial disease, and cerebrovascular disease, may also cause bradycardia. These conditions can affect heart function, nerve conduction, or metabolic processes, thereby influencing heart rate.
If your heart rate suddenly slows from a normally fast rate and is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or chest tightness, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for relevant examinations to determine the underlying cause, and to receive targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance.
