Bradycardia: Diagnosis and Treatment - Case Study Example

This condition can also be caused by medications and may result from some herbal treatments such as licorice root ("Herbal Tea Remedy"). It is more often caused by conditions such as heart disease or the effects of the aging process ("Bradycardia, Heart Block"). The problem often manifests when the heart's electrical system is interrupted or the function of the heart's natural pacemaker develops an abnormal rate or irregular rhythm. Problems with the heart's electrical system are known as sick sinus syndrome or heart block.

An electrocardiogram (EKG) can reveal the electrical function and the heart's response to the impulses that control heart rate. Sick sinus syndrome is a malfunction of the heart's natural pacemaker and will show up as irregular electrical impulses controlling the heart. If there is a blockage in the nerve bundles, it is known as bundle branch block ("Bradycardia, Heart Block"). Heart block is an "unusually slow heartbeat due to a slowing or blocking of electrical impulses in the heart's conduction system" ("Bradycardia").

Impulses are taking too long to travel the nerve system, contraction of one ventricle occurs later than the other, the heartbeats late and becomes out of sync ("Bradycardia, Heart Block"). This is quickly revealed in the EKG as a contraction of one ventricle occurs later than the other. After a diagnosis of Bradycardia, treatment may take one of a few forms. If the heart rate is being slowed from medication or herbal substances, the medication is removed and the patient recovers. Drug therapy, such as temporary atropine, may be effective in regulating the heart rate ("Bradycardia").

In more severe cases where there has been damage to the nerves, the doctor may recommend a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a device that is implanted in the patient and generates electrical impulses that are routed to the heart to maintain a regular rhythm. Pacemakers are currently used by over half a million Americans ("Pacemaker"). Modern pacemakers are highly reliable, light, and can adapt to the person's needs ("Pacemaker"). As the person exercises, or exerts themselves physically, the pacemaker increases the heart rate.