Overview

Normal Rhythms

Atrial Arrhythmias

Conduction Disturbances

Ventricular Arrhymias

Miscellaneous Rhythms

Sinus Bradycardia

Description

Sinus bradycardia is a rhythm which is formed by the electrical impulse originating in the SA node in the normal manner. However, the rate is slower than normal. The normal heart rate range is 60-100 beats per minute, although EquiMed uses 50 as the lower end of the normal range since rates as low as 50 are very common. The rate in the example above is 44 beats per minute.

This rhythm is commonly seen in healthy adults, particularly in well conditioned athletes, and they will not generally experience any symptoms. For patients for whom this is not their normal rhythm, they may experience dizziness or lightheadedness. In rare cases, may feel faint or may pass out if the change to this rate from a faster rate is abrupt.

This rhythm is generally of no consequence. However, in some cases, it may be due to medications the patient is taking, which would suggest the need to review and possibly modify those medications.