What many may not realize is that anxiety can cause the heartbeat to slow down as well. It's not that common, but it is possible, and in some cases the issue may not be a slow heartbeat at all but your own mind telling you that your heart rate is abnormal even when this isn't necessarily the case.
Meditation
Meditation will take your body out of the anxious state and move you into the default calm state. Your heart rate will slow as a result. This is something you should do daily.
Can stress and anxiety cause bradycardia? Some studies suggest people with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of slow heart rates. 14 Anxiety also is shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death.
The Effect of Anxiety on the Heart
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – In serious cases, can interfere with normal heart function and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Increased blood pressure – If chronic, can lead to coronary disease, weakening of the heart muscle, and heart failure.
When should I see my doctor? If you have a pulse rate less than 60 bpm, and you're experiencing any symptoms mentioned above, especially if you aren't very fit, it's important to see your doctor. It might help to note the times you notice your heart is beating slowly, and how you're feeling at the time.
A “normal” RHR falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. An RHR under 60 can indicate that you're more physically fit and may be associated with better heart function. An RHR that is above 100 beats per minute can reflect exposure to stress, excessive caffeine consumption or an illness.
During sleep, it is normal for a person's heart rate to slow down below the range for a typical resting heart rate. Between 40 to 50 beats per minute (bpm) is considered an average sleeping heart rate for adults, though this can vary depending on multiple factors.
Although chest pain is common to both a panic attack and a heart attack, the characteristics of the pain often differ. During a panic attack, chest pain is usually sharp or stabbing and localized in the middle of the chest. Chest pain from a heart attack may resemble pressure or a squeezing sensation.
The most common cause of a low heart rate is a malfunction in the heart's sinus node, its natural pacemaker. This area sends our electrical signals telling the top and bottom heart chambers the timing of when to pump blood through the body.
Causes for bradycardia include: Problems with the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's natural pacemaker. Problems in the conduction pathways of the heart that don't allow electrical impulses to pass properly from the atria to the ventricles. Metabolic problems such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
Bradycardia can be a serious problem if the heart rate is very slow and the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. If this happens, you may feel dizzy, very tired or weak, and short of breath. Sometimes bradycardia doesn't cause symptoms or complications.
A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute.
Summary: Bradycardia -- a slower than normal heartbeat -- does not increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a study. The heart usually beats between 60 and 100 times a minute in an adult at rest.
Cardiophobia is defined as an anxiety disorder of persons characterized by repeated complaints of chest pain, heart palpitations, and other somatic sensations accompanied by fears of having a heart attack and of dying.
"We found that those with depression had both a higher baseline heart rate, and a lower heart rate variation, as we expected.
Your heart can go in and out of slow rhythms. Your doctor will be able to make the diagnosis if you're having a bout of bradycardia during a test called an electrocardiogram. Often called an EKG, it's a way to measure your heart's electrical system.
If you do not have other heart problems, you likely do not have limits on the type or level of activity that you can do. You may want to walk, swim, bike, or do other activities. Ask your doctor what level of exercise is safe for you.
Low Heart Rate means your heart is beating less than 60 times per minute. If your Apple Watch ECG app shows Low Heart Rate, there's usually no reason for concern. However, this is sometimes a problem because every time your heart beats, it sends blood to various parts of your body.
Wearable ECGs, such as those found in smartwatches and mobile apps, have recently become popular among patients. These ECGs can be applied to manage patients with anxiety, as they have been used to detect, monitor, and reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Stress cardiomyopathy symptoms include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, fast heart beats, and dizziness. Up to 30% of people who experience this condition are unaware of what triggered their symptoms.
If you are a person who frequently has symptoms of chest pain or shortness of breath when under significant stress, you should be evaluated by your doctor.
Most people's hearts beat between 60 and 100 times per minute. If you're sitting down and feeling calm, your heart shouldn't beat more than about 100 times per minute. A heartbeat that's faster than this, also called tachycardia, is a reason to come to the emergency department and get checked out.
A specific type of bradycardia called junctional bradycardia, in which the heart rate is below 40 beats per minute, may be associated with ischemic stroke, a type of stroke in which a blood vessel to the brain is obstructed or blocked.
If your heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute or below 60 beats per minute (and you're not an athlete) and if you are experiencing any symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness then you may need to visit a hospital.