Why slow heart rate

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Skip Navigation. Top of the page. Bradycardia Slow Heart Rate. Condition Basics What is bradycardia? What causes it? Examples include: Changes in the heart that are the result of aging. Diseases that damage the heart's electrical system. These include coronary artery disease , heart attack, and infections such as endocarditis and myocarditis.

Conditions that can slow electrical impulses through the heart. Examples include having a low thyroid level hypothyroidism or an electrolyte imbalance, such as too much potassium in the blood. Many types of medicines. Examples include antidepressants, heart medicines, and opioids. What are the symptoms? A very slow heart rate may cause you to: Feel dizzy or lightheaded. Feel short of breath and find it harder to exercise. Feel tired. Have chest pain or a feeling that your heart is pounding or fluttering palpitations.

Feel confused or have trouble concentrating. Faint, if a slow heart rate causes a drop in blood pressure. How is it diagnosed? How is bradycardia treated? If damage to the heart's electrical system causes your heart to beat too slowly, you will probably need to have a pacemaker.

A pacemaker is an implanted device that helps correct the slow heart rate. If another medical problem, such as hypothyroidism or an electrolyte imbalance, is causing a slow heart rate, treating that problem may cure the bradycardia. If a medicine is causing your heart to beat too slowly, your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a different medicine.

How can you care for yourself? The hearts of adults at rest usually beat between 60 and times a minute. If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute. Bradycardia can be a serious problem if the heart rate is very slow and the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body.

If this happens, you may feel dizzy, very tired or weak, and short of breath. Sometimes bradycardia doesn't cause symptoms or complications. A slow heartbeat isn't always a concern. For example, a resting heart rate between 40 and 60 beats a minute is quite common during sleep and in some people, particularly healthy young adults and trained athletes. If bradycardia is severe, an implanted pacemaker may be needed to help the heart maintain an appropriate rate. A slower than normal heartbeat bradycardia can prevent the brain and other organs from getting enough oxygen, possibly causing these signs and symptoms:.

Many things can cause signs and symptoms of bradycardia. It's important to get a prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. See your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of bradycardia. If you faint, have difficulty breathing or have chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, call or emergency medical services. Seek emergency care for anyone with these symptoms. In a typical heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal.

The signal then travels through the atria to the atrioventricular AV node and into the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood.

To better understand the causes of bradycardia, it may be helpful to know how the heart typically beats. The typical heart has four chambers — two upper chambers atria and two lower chambers ventricles. Within the upper right chamber of the heart right atrium is a group of cells called the sinus node. The sinus node is the heart's natural pacemaker. It produces the signal that starts each heartbeat. Bradycardia, shown on the right, is a slower than normal heart rhythm that often starts in the area of the heart called the sinus node.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is bradycardia?

What causes bradycardia? Bradycardia can be caused by many things. Examples include: Changes in the heart that are the result of aging. Diseases that damage the heart's electrical system. These include coronary artery disease , heart attack , and infections such as endocarditis and myocarditis. Conditions that can slow electrical impulses through the heart.

Examples include having a low thyroid level hypothyroidism or an electrolyte imbalance , such as too much potassium in the blood. Many types of medicines. Examples include antidepressants, heart medicines, and opioids. What are the symptoms? A very slow heart rate may cause you to: Feel dizzy or lightheaded. Feel short of breath and find it harder to exercise. Feel tired. Have chest pain or a feeling that your heart is pounding or fluttering palpitations. Feel confused or have trouble concentrating.

Faint, if a slow heart rate causes a drop in blood pressure. How is bradycardia diagnosed? You may also have blood tests to find out if another problem is causing your slow heart rate.

How is it treated? If damage to the heart's electrical system causes your heart to beat too slowly, you will probably need to have a pacemaker.

A pacemaker is an implanted device that helps correct the slow heart rate. If another medical problem, such as hypothyroidism or an electrolyte imbalance, is causing a slow heart rate, treating that problem may cure the bradycardia. If a medicine is causing your heart to beat too slowly, your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a different medicine. What can you do at home for bradycardia?

The steps include: Having a heart-healthy eating plan that includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. Limit alcohol, sodium, and sugar. Being active on most, if not all, days of the week. Your doctor can tell you what level of exercise is safe for you. Losing weight if you need to, and staying at a healthy weight. Not smoking.