Is a heart rate of 51 normal?

Human heartbeat is often very important for physical health. However, in daily life, most people's heartbeat is normal, but some people will experience a slower heartbeat or a faster heartbeat. If this happens occasionally, you can observe it first. There are many reasons for a person's heartbeat speed, both pathological and physiological, and everyone needs to learn to distinguish them in normal times.

Is a heart rate of 51 normal?

The normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, and it is sinus rhythm. If the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute, it is called sinus bradycardia. Therefore, a heart rate of 51 beats per minute is bradycardia, but it does not mean that it is abnormal. Because when a person is at rest, their heart rate can be relatively slow, and the heart rate of athletes or people who exercise regularly is also relatively slow. If there are no clinical symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, black eyes or blurred vision, a heart rate of 51 beats per minute is considered normal and no special treatment is required.

What causes a slow heartbeat?

Conduction block

Generally, severe atrioventricular conduction block can lead to a slow heartbeat, that is, the impulse wave emitted by the pacemaker sinoatrial node cannot be transmitted to the atrioventricular node, so the ventricles have to compensate by emitting impulses themselves, thus causing a slow heartbeat.

Once complete atrioventricular block occurs and the heart rate drops below 20 beats per minute, dizziness, even syncope and convulsions may occur due to the significant decrease in cardiac output, which directly affects the blood supply to the brain. This is a severe attack of Asperger's syndrome.

The causes of severe conduction block are mostly organic diseases of the heart itself, such as coronary heart disease, myocardial disease or severe late changes in certain heart diseases.

In short, when the heartbeat is slow, the main causes should be considered, such as "hypertension", "sick sinus syndrome" and severe conduction block. A detailed medical history and electrocardiogram can also be used to find the cause of the slow heartbeat, so that treatment can be targeted at the cause.

Changes in vagal tone

Bradycardia caused by increased vagus nerve tension is common in normal people. When the vagus nerve is excited, its endings can release a substance called "acetylcholine", which has an inhibitory effect on the heart and can slow down the heartbeat. Although the heartbeat is slow, it is strong and regular, not less than 50 beats per minute. The cardiac output does not decrease, and normal physiological functions can be maintained.

Changes in sinus node function

The slow heartbeat caused by the lesions of the sinoatrial node itself is called sick sinus syndrome, and the heart rate is about forty beats per minute. The cardiac output is significantly reduced, and people will experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and tinnitus. In severe cases, the patient may even fall into coma and convulse.

What to do if your heartbeat is slow

The heart rate is not a big problem. If it is greater than 50 times and there are no symptoms, it is generally not a problem.

Treatment of the cause

People with weak constitutions should strengthen their nutrition. Treatment should be intensified for those suffering from wasting diseases such as tuberculosis. If the condition is caused by medication, the medication can be discontinued or the dosage can be adjusted. If a hypertensive patient feels uncomfortable because his blood pressure drops too quickly after taking antihypertensive drugs, he should adjust the medication method and dosage under the guidance of a doctor, or switch to mild antihypertensive drugs as needed. Antihypertensive drugs can be discontinued if necessary.

For patients with orthostatic hypotension, be careful not to stand up too quickly when lying down, or use your hands to hold on to something to prevent falls due to hypotension.

Proper exercise

Live a regular life and avoid excessive fatigue, because extreme fatigue can make blood pressure drop even lower. It is necessary to maintain a good mental state, strengthen exercise appropriately, improve physical fitness, improve the regulatory function of nerves and blood vessels, accelerate blood circulation, and reduce the onset of orthostatic hypotension. The elderly should choose sports according to environmental conditions and their own physical conditions, such as Tai Chi, walking, aerobics, etc.