Your heart rate may fall below 60 BPM during deep sleep. And physically active adults and athletes often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM. View an animation of bradycardia. Your donation brings vital education and research breakthroughs to life — and saves lives. Symptoms of bradycardia include:. Severe or prolonged bradycardia can be treated in a few ways. For instance, if medication side effects are causing the slow heart rate, then the medication regimen can be adjusted or discontinued.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. About Arrhythmia. Give Research Contact. Bradycardia What is Bradycardia?
Signs and Symptoms of Bradycardia Bradycardia symptoms occur if the slow heart rhythm is causing insufficient blood flow to the brain and may include: Fatigue Dizziness Lightheadedness Shortness of breath Chest pain or palpitations Confusion or trouble concentrating Fainting or near-fainting spells How Serious is Bradycardia? Bradycardia Diagnosis To diagnose bradycardia, we ask questions about your medical history and do a physical exam.
Common diagnostic procedures for bradycardia can include: Blood test: Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and protein in the blood that could indicate bradycardia and other heart conditions. Electrocardiogram EKG : This test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help determine if parts of the heart are enlarged, overworked or damaged.
We may prescribe one of the following for longer-term monitoring: Event monitor: This portable EKG device records the heart rate when a button is pressed.
It can be worn for weeks or until symptoms occur. LINQ insertable cardiac monitor: This wireless, powerful, small insertable cardiac monitor is ideal for patients experiencing infrequent symptoms that require long-term monitoring or ongoing management. Bradycardia Causes Bradycardia causes vary from lifestyle choices to other types of heart disease. Therefore, bradycardia can be caused by: Coronary artery disease Heavy alcohol use High blood pressure Psychological stress or anxiety Recreational drug use Sleep apnea Smoking Sleep apnea Smoking Risk Factors for Bradycardia Risk factors that could contribute to bradycardia include: Age: Men and women age 65 and older are most likely to develop a slow heart rate that needs treatment.
Congenital heart defect: Problems with the structure or function of the heart present at birth can cause a slow heart rate. Infection of the heart: Certain bacteria, viruses and parasites can infect the heart muscle, causing inflammation and damage leading to an irregular heart rate.
Previous heart attacks: Heart attacks can weaken the heart muscle or cause problems with its electrical system. Low thyroid: An abnormally low level of thyroid hormones can cause a slow heart rate. Medications for other heart problems: Some medications for treating high blood pressure or other heart conditions like beta blockers, antiarrhythmics and digoxin for heart failure can cause bradycardia.
Prevention of Bradycardia While some bradycardia risk factors like age and congenital heart defects cannot be controlled, the most effective way to prevent bradycardia is to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Control stress: Avoid unnecessary stress and learn healthy ways to handle everyday tension. Exercise and eat healthy: Get regular physical activity and eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Get regular checkups: Have regular physicals and, if you experience new or changing symptoms, see your physician. If you drink, do so in moderation: You may need to avoid alcohol if you have certain conditions. Ask your physician for advice.
Limit your intake if you can consume alcohol. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control: Make the lifestyle changes listed above and take medications as prescribed. Maintain a healthy weight: Exercise and eat a healthy, balanced diet to stay in a normal range. A person has a high diastolic blood pressure if the test shows a reading above Thyroid disorders are common and may affect young and otherwise healthy people.
Between 4 and 10 percent of people in the United States have hypothyroidism. Some medications , including medications for heart disease and high blood pressure, may lower heart rate. Beta-blockers , which doctors prescribe for a rapid heart rate and some other heart conditions, may also slow heart rate. Doctors use the term hypoxia when the body cannot get enough oxygen, which may slow down the heart rate.
Hypoxia is a medical emergency, and it can occur when a person is choking or having a severe asthma attack.
Chronic medical conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may also cause hypoxia. A person should speak to a doctor if they notice their heart rate is slow.
Adults and children who have a low pulse and experience severe symptoms, such as chest pain or fainting, should also go to the hospital. A doctor may not always need to treat a slow heart rate. However, when a slow heart rate causes serious health problems or when heart disease slows the heart, it is essential that people receive treatment. An artificial pacemaker, which is an electrical device that a doctor inserts into the heart to promote regular rhythms, can help.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U. It is crucial that a person takes any changes in heart health, blood pressure, or pulse seriously. However, a slow heart rate is not always a reason for concern. In many cases, a slow heart rate is merely a variation of normal. It may even be a sign of heart health and indicate good levels of fitness. People should see a doctor for guidance and reassurance. Read the article in Spanish.
QT prolongation occurs when the heart takes longer to contract and relax than it usually does. Learn more about the effects of QT prolongation here. Dysrhythmia and arrhythmia are both terms doctors use to describe an abnormal heart rate.
Types include bradyarrhythmia or supraventricular arrhythmia. Ventricular tachycardia VT causes the heart to beat at a rate of over beats per minute. VT causes include underlying heart disease. Learn more. Bradyarrhythmia means a slow heart rate with an arrhythmia. It is not always a cause for concern but may signal a serious underlying condition.
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