Heart Rate
How to Measure
- Count the number of beats over 15, 30 or 60 seconds and multiply to estimate beats per minute.
Normal Range
- 60 - 100bpm
Causes of Bradycardia (
- Physiological - high cardiac fitness
- Beta blockers
- Hypothyroidism
- Raised intracranial pressure
- Heart block
- Sick sinus syndrome
Causes of Tachycardia (>100bpm)
- Sinus tachycardia - physical exertion, infection, anxiety, thyrotoxicosis, stimulant drugs, shock
- Atrial fibrillation / flutter - aberrant conduction, parenchymal damage
- Supraventricular tachycardia - aberrant conduction pathways/ re-entry
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