Dr. Dinesh Sehgal told “What basically Heart Pain is”? Typical heart pain must be taken seriously and instant attention is needed. Typical heart pain is a central pressure like feeling over the chest, often depicted as an elephant is sitting on the chest. Heart pain can radiate to the arms, back, and jaws. With exertion, it often worsens, association with shortness of breath, and calms down with rest. Nausea and sweating can accompany heart pain. If Heart pain happens at rest and persists for long, then heart pain is unstable and immediate medical attention should be sought.

The symptoms of a typical heart pain include tiredness or just slowing down or being unable to do as much as in the past. Fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness may occur. Indigestion may be there with some leg swelling and shortness of breath.

 If you have symptoms of heart pain such as those outlined, it is important to visit cardiologist as early as possible. If symptoms occur at rest or more frequently then instant medical attention is needed.

1. Sinus bradycardia- In this AV node impedes the functioning of electrical impulse i.e. pumping blood. Because of this, the heart rate decreases to 45 beats per minute. In this situation electrical signals pass through the upper part of the heart. But due to the damage done to AV node, there is no beating in the lower part of the heart. Because of this, the speed of the beat gets interrupted.

2. AV node disease – If your AV node is not working at all but the upper chamber or upper chest has a normal heart rate, that is, your heart beats 80 times every minute. While in the lower chamber your heart beats 40 times a minute. So this means that your overall heart rate is low. Similarly, if there is any damage to the AV node, then your heart rate decreases despite being able to beat the muscles of the lower chamber.

3. Complete heart block – In this condition there can be any problem ranging from damage to heart muscle to blockage in the arteries due to coronary problems or heart attack. In some cases, the lower chamber of the heart is not able to beat properly due to a problem in AV node. This can also result in complete heart block, which can be dangerous.

4. Hypothyroidism – Decreased levels of thyroid cause bradycardia whereas increased levels of thyroid leads to tachycardia (increase in Heart Beat). It makes the lower chamber beats 40 – 50 times per minute due to the pressure of thyroid hormones on the cyanus node. The treatment of bradycardia in this condition depends on the method of treatment for hypothyroidism.

5. Any Heart disorder present at birth (congenital heart defect) can also cause bradycardia.

6. Medications, including some drugs for other heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and psychosis can also reduce the heart rate.