How is Your Heart Rate Related to the Flow of Blood and Oxygen Inside Your Body?
Blood circulation is dependent on the condition of the heart. As it pumps, the heart transports oxygenated blood to the body's vital organs. When the heart is affected by cardiovascular diseases, its natural system and rate is interrupted. Thus, blood circulation and SpO2 levels are indirectly impacted too. Thankfully, healthcare devices such as the LOOKEE® Personal ECG and the LOOKEE® Pulse Oximeters monitor these stats to make you aware of any health issues that may arise.
Bradycardia - A Slowed Heart Rate
Bradycardia is the slowing of the heart rate. It can occur as a result of numerous heart complications, including heart disease. When a patient suffers from bradycardia, they experience less than 60 heartbeats per minute, and this can affect the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
When the heart beats slower than normal, it leads to a low cardiac output (i.e., the amount of blood pumped out by the heart each minute). This, in turn, causes a reduced blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. When organs and tissues do not receive an adequate supply of blood, they become damaged. This occurs because they are not receiving enough oxygen or nutrients, and in prolonged instances, it can lead to the tissue dying. For example, when an insufficient amount of blood is transported to the brain, a patient may be at serious risk of having a stroke.
A reduced heart rate and blood flow can also cause heart failure. As the body receives an inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, it is triggered to compensate in other ways. Since the body believes that there is a lack of fluid within the blood vessels, it sends signals to the nervous system to release hormones that increase blood pressure. Thus, hypertension can occur as a result of a slowed heart rate.
Tachycardia - A Rapid Heart Rate
Tachycardia is another symptom that can be caused by a disruption in the heart's electrical activity. In contrast to bradycardia, tachycardia is characterized by a heart that beats at a rate much faster than normal. Patients with the condition are seen to experience more than 100 beats per minute.
Since the heart is beating too rapidly, its ability to pump blood efficiently is affected, and, like bradycardia, blood flow to the body's vital organs is decreased.
Why Good Circulation Matters
A healthy blood flow essentially means that your body's tissues and vital organs are receiving enough oxygen and nutrients to perform their normal functions. As mentioned above, an abnormal heart rate can alter a person's circulation and trigger a number of health complications. Individuals can maintain good circulation by doing the following:
Monitoring your heart: By going for ECGs or getting the LOOKEE Personal ECG Heart Monitor that allows older adults to spot-check their heart's activity in a matter of seconds.
Exercising: Performing exercises such as light cardio and yoga help improve blood flow and keep the heart healthy.
Maintaining A Healthy Diet: Try to limit the consumption of saturated fats as they block the arteries, and eat plenty of oily fish, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. The omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve blood circulation.
Tracking Weight Gain: If an individual becomes overweight or even obese, they experience far more problems. Stay at a healthy weight to ensure healthy circulation.
Reference List:
Everything you need to know about tachycardia: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175241#causes
How to improve circulation:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320793
Heart Failure: Compensation by the Heart and Body:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa86963
Bradycardia:
https://emcrit.org/ibcc/bradycardia/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474
What Is Cardiac Output?: