Our online community of survivors and caregivers is here to keep you going no matter the obstacles. Donate Now. Symptoms of bradycardia include: Fatigue or feeling weak Dizziness or lightheadedness Confusion Fainting or near-fainting spells Shortness of breath Difficulty when exercising Cardiac arrest in extreme cases Complications of bradycardia Left untreated, severe or prolonged bradycardia can cause: Heart failure Fainting syncope Chest pain angina pectoris Low blood pressure hypotension High blood pressure hypertension Treatment of bradycardia Borderline or occasional bradycardia may not require treatment.
Last Reviewed: Sep 30, Subscribe today! Email required Email Required. Zip Code required Zip Code Required. 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.
A typical heart rhythm is shown in the image on the left. Bradycardia often starts in the area of the heart called the sinus node. In some people, sinus node problems cause alternating slow and fast heart rates bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome.
Bradycardia can also occur if the heart's electrical signals don't move correctly from the upper chambers atria to the lower chambers ventricles. If this occurs, the condition is called heart block, or atrioventricular block.
Bradycardia is often associated with damage to heart tissue from some type of heart disease. Anything that increases the risk of heart problems can increase the risk of bradycardia. Risk factors for heart disease include:. Bradycardia can be caused by certain medications, particularly if they are taken at high doses, so it's important to take all medications as directed.
Although bradycardia is not typically preventable, health care providers recommend strategies to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Take the following heart-healthy steps:. If you already have heart disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing bradycardia or another heart rhythm disorder:. Particularly given that you have had a work up.
I am a 62yr old female who has been diagnosed with Acquired Long QT syndrome after a heart spasm 5yrs ago. An angiography showed my heart as healthy. I have had several incidents of chest pain etc and a Heart Attack 18mth ago.
I had a Nuclear Stress test two weeks ago and my heart rate got to 73 when I had severe chest pain radiating down my left arm, breathlessness and dizzy. I have just called for results as I have Gallbladder disease and the surgeon would not operate till I had checks. Was told they were ok and report would be with the surgeon next week. How can the result be ok if I am still getting symptoms of chest pain etc during exertions? Of course any comment i make here is very limited in such cases as you would need full evaluation and history etc to make a well informed comment.
When you had the chest pain, did you have any EKG changed accompanying? Have you ever had a stress echo? Have alternative causes been investigated? If spasm was occurring in the test, this should show on an EKG and also as an imaging abnormality. If all these factors have been evaluated, it is reasonable to assume that although you have the symptoms, you are in a relatively low risk category.
Thank you for your reply. The spasm was originally diagnosed as a heart attack as it showed up in blood tests. Then Long Qt showed up and at the time I was taking Sumatriptan for migraine. I have had an Echo which was ok. A treadmill test that I stopped because of breathlessness, which showed extra beats as my pulse rate slowed. I am 46 year old female that has been having Trigeminal PVC for over a year, ECHO was good, had a medical stress tests that was the only time they could get me into normal rhythm have been told this is something I will just have to deal with.
Now my heart rate keeps dipping into frequently and my chest gets so heavy feels like it has to work so hard, and discomfort up both sides of my jaw. I usually walk miles a days a week, and pulse use to always be up in the , BP is low but I have always ran low.
I feel like a fool going to the doctor because I feel like I am not believed, but it seems to be more frequent.
My heart rhythm is all over the board lately.. Do i just continue to deal with it? Have you had a holter monitor? If they are frequent and symptomatic I would recommend opinion from an electrophysiologist who can discuss treatment options. I really need your opinion or advice. She just began seeing two Cardiologist, the first Dr. Started her witha losartan due to her highschool blood pressure which first BP medicine she ever taken in her lifeis. Few days after taking her meds, she noticed that she has been having few episodes of shortness of breathe and dizziness.
So, she went to another Dr. For a second opinion, then he changed her prescription and wanted to try Norvasc once a day. Yesterday, my mom complained to me that her HR went down to 37, she was short of breathe and felt she was about to pass out. The first doctor told her, she needed to go through a stress testand with dobutamine.
Is it ok with her age to go through that procedure? Does she need togo continue her blood pressure medicine Norvasc? I need your help. With regard to the medication, side effects can be noticed and its reasonable to try alternate ones to see which is tolerated. Norvasc isnt typically associated with a low heart rate. If she had a heart rate of 37 and felt she was going to pass out at that time she certainly needs evaluation and monitoring to characterize the heart rhythm.
If she has those symptoms and feels that way again she should go to the emergency department to be evaluated. With regard to the dobutamine, that test is used and age itself is not a factor, although in my opinion, more information in this setting may be gained if she is able to walk a treadmill as a form of stress. I recently spent about a month in the hospital with pancreatitus. I have been out for about a week but now I feel like I am going to pass out every time I sit up. Any advise?
I advise keeping a heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms diary then presenting this to your Dr. If the symptoms are acutely concerning you should seek medical help as you may have dehydration also.
What are the risks of complications with different types of bradycardias? What is a medical history and physical examination for slow heart rate?
What are the symptoms? My child has a slow heart rate, low of 33 average is He is NOT an athlete. He had a holter, echocardiogram and EKG when he was 7 years of age and we were told all is normal. Not to worry unless he faints. Fast forward 7 years he is now 14 and fainted. We followed up with cardiologist and had a holter and EKG. Same results normal. Same low of 33 average of He tires easy and has not fainted again. However we are working to figure out why the slow heart.
He has been diagnosed with bradycardia. My son has an arachnoid cyst, syrinx of spinal cord and wonder if the heart rate would be slow from his neurological issues? Also would it be worth doing another echocardiogram again? Since he is older now would the heart change from age 7 to age 14? I understand that his structure of the heart was normal and no block 7 years ago. Any feedback or avenues to pursue would be great!
I recommend proceeding to a pediatric electrophysiologist at this point for evaluation and management. We did see a electrophysiologist and he said not to worry and we would do a holter monitor every 6 months.
We talked about an implantable heart recording and he felt that was not necessary. So I worry…. My husband found an article about a possible issue from his arachnoid cyst causing a slow heart rate. We thought maybe you or one of your colleagues could give feed back or has done research on this…anyway thank you for your time and the quick reply? Arachnoid cyst has not to the best of my knowledge been associated with bradycardia. If there has been an article written it is likely a rare case report.
I am a 31 year old female and have been experiencing a slow heart rate at rest. However, when I move or get up, it jumps up until I stop again. My doctor said this is abnormal and has ordered a Holter monitor. She also did two EKGs on different days and both came back normal. I have been experiencing fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, and many more symptoms, but these do not happen only when my heart rate is low. I truly believe my thyroid might be causing my heart issues, but my doctor has ruled that out.
Do you have any thoughts or advice? Thank you!!! The multitude of systemic systems means investigations should likely center on a systemic cause such as thyroid etc.
Have you seen an endocrinologist? I am 46 yrs old and been diagnosed bradycardia for 2yrs, my bpm is 44 average dropping to My mother had cardio myopathy and died from a massive heart attack at 63yrs. I get very tired all the time occasionally I have dizzy spells and light-headedness.
Am I likely to have the same problems as my mother? Hi my name is Dusty…. I work out 5 to 6 days a week lifting heavy… i use to run alot but now enjoy lifting …. Ive never really checked any of this so not sure how low its been running…just wondering what could be going on…please respond….
The blood pressure mentioned, and the heart rate of 55 can be normal and in themselves are not worrying unless accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, passing out etc.
The heart rate decrease at night is very normal and seen in most people. The fact you are able to exercise to a good level is also reassuring. If you are worried about feeling tired and the symptoms before you sleep i suggest you get a routine check up and take a blood pressure and heart rate diary along to your visit.
It is unlikely that the blood pressure and heart rate would be causing that and manifest at that time only. As a weight lifter myself I have had that same feeling. Dizziness faint while trying to sleep. Total exhaustion waking up as well. I was on a strict keto diet at the time. One yer during the holidays i suspened my diet and i scarfed desserts and breads..
I felt better and better everyday. I now eat some carbs in the morning like some toast and a donut and maybe an evergy bar before the workout and i feel way better. I am not as skinny as I used to be but feel great. Hi, thanks for this great site. Have no other medical problems. I have had a HR of 60 for many years. For the last several months I feel tired all the time for no reason…decent sleep and diet.
My question is whether you think it worthwhile to see a cardiologist…seeing that my BP is fine AND only symptom is fatigue. A start may be to see a primary care physician if not easy to see a cardiologist , and obtain a treadmill exercise test to investigate the fatigue and ensure an adequate heart rate response to exercise. Some basic blood work such as thyroid function should be checked also. I am 50 years of age. Ever since I remember I have had a very low heart rate, usually sub My max heart rate maximal exercise is around I have a strong family history of heart disease.
Anesthetists have struggled to get a pulse prior to general ops so I was referred to heart specialist. ECG, Echocardiagram, 24 hour monitor confirm low heart rate but no electrical fault.
Have you seen an electrophysiologist? If you are interested in cutting edge information and therapy for heart disease then follow my twitter at MustafaAhmedMD. Paul, I have been reading through comments which are similar to what my son is experiencing.
That being said, I would like to comment on your symptoms. I too yawned a lot felt like yawns every afternoon. I kept seeing my internest who kept testing my thyroid. I went for a sleep study which turned out normal. Then I started having gastrointestinal issues.
A friend told me they thought I might have food allergies. What did I have to lose … I went and had the food allergy blood test not covered by insurance. It was not easy but I stopped drinking, eliminated all breads except GF Wraps, read all labels and just about everything had vinegar in it as a preservative!
And eliminated the other foods I also tested positive for. Within a week ALL of my symptoms disappeared. I made an appointment with my internest and another one with my gastroenterologist and brought ALL of my food test results with me. Totally disgusted with the amount of time, energy, symptoms etc I spent and told them they needed to get educated!
I strongly suggested they offer this test to chronic patients like myself who had severe symptoms and no positive diagnosis through their exams. I am totally symptom free and feel like a normal healthy person again. Back to running, skiing, golfing, long bike rides, and pickleball! Good luck to finding out what causes your symptoms. You have to be your own advocate! While pregnant I started having issues with my heart, the cardiologist said it was do to my weight and it would go away after pregnancy.
But out only got worse. Lowers when at rest. This leads too chest pain and difficulty breathing. I have dizzy spells, joint pain, memory loss, sensitivity to hot or cold, blue extremities, recently my BP has been increasing, physical and mental fatigue.
He tested me for hep a,b and c. Which came back normal. I forgot slurred speech or I misspronouce words. Things that were once easy are now hard like spelling and math. Although after lying down for a long time but still awake it can drop to I do get some palpitations but try to ignore them.
I also have been getting muscle twitches in my calves. A rate in the 50 is relatively normal. I would suggest a symptom diary. Whenever you have the spells of dizziness or light headedness then measure your heart rate at that time and record it, ideally you would measure blood pressure at that time also. If the dizzy spells are frequent, i. My daughter had surgery for the gastric sleeve about 5 weeks ago.
She started feeling bad and I checked her blood pressure to find out her heart rate was I took her to ER and she was dehydrated and low on potassium. After 4 days in the hospital, her heart rate is still One Dr wanted to put a pace maker but the other Dr on call wanted to wait in case it has something to do with her surgery.
Her heart rate prior to surgery was Is there a correlation between gastric sleeve surgery and low heart rates? Post surgery a low heart rate can be seen at times due to pain or other reasons. Im not sure why there was a discordance in the opinion of the consulting cardiologists, if you are concerned i suggest firstly she have some form of monitor to assess and characterize the heart rate and rhythm and also that you seek opinion of an electrophysiologist.
Hello Dr Ahmed and thank you for a helpful site. I am a 57 yr old man. Overweight mostly round midriff and being treated unsuccessfully with CPAP for apnea. Reason being I feel so tired despite the treatment.
Fair enough but by mid afternoon I feel so exhausted I could lay down and sleep! Although I am on oral medication for blood pressure, diabetes, statins and depression he assures me none of my tablets will cause my heart rate to slow. A few years ago during an ECG at hospital I was found to have a right bundle branch block. However I was told it was quite common and not to worry. My lovely American sleep apnea nurse thinks I may have something else going on other than my apnea.
A low heart rate is not uncommon in those with sleep apnea, particularly at night and is not generally an issue. In this case it would be interesting to see if your heart rate mounts an appropriate response to exercise i. Also given the tiredness you are experiencing, the low rate and the right bundle branch block a treadmill exercise test and echocardiogram scan of the heart to assess underlying structure and function may be a good idea.
For about a month now I been having fluttering in my chest and I started to check and record my heart rate. Resting while awake when I feel the fluttering my heart rate is always below 45 lowest 43 with just a little light headness. Should I see a specialist about this? I would see a physician for a check up, a baseline ekg and to determine if any further testing is required.
Hi I am 33 and 6 weeks pregnant and my resting heart rate is as low as , I exercise about days a week. I normally jog for about 30mins. After my work I have energy for about hours but afterwards I am exhausted and tired. I have dizzy spells every now and then and it can get hard for me to concentrate.
I have not told anyone any of my doctors about this. What steps should I take first? The pregnancy may well explain these symptoms. If you are interested in cutting edge information and therapy for heart disease then follow our twitter at MustafaAhmedMD. I have had recurring episodes of severe pressure in both upper arms, near the elbow. It is painful and feels like it is sucking the life out of me.
Nothing has given an answer to the pressure, and it has continued periodically. I also experienced dizziness and difficulty breathing while in church and was taken to ER. This ER visit and one previously showed fluctuating blood pressure and heart rate down to 38 and up to EKG and Blood work indicate no heart attack. Both times I was given no answers and just told I tolerate it well. Do you have any info on the extreme pressure in the arms, and is fluctuating BP and low heart rate causing any damage to heart?
I am 75 and get little exercise. Thank you for your expertise and willingness to help! The symptoms you have clearly appear disabling to you. The good news is that most of the immediately threatening things are ruled out from a cardiac point of view.
In terms of the heart rate, the rate itself should not be associated with pressure in the arms. If the heart rate is as low as 38, i would suggest some form of monitoring to characterize the rate and rhythm of the heart.
The low heart rate itself will not directly damage the heart. In terms of the BP i would start with a blood pressure diary and maybe 24 hour ambulatory monitoring to see the peaks and lows and determine how to treat it best. This morning I was too dizzy to sit upright at my desk to work. Although a heart rate of 60 is basically normal, given the dizziness and such symptoms an EKG may be a good idea. If palpitations are new and there are GI symptoms checking electrolyte levels with a blood test may also be recommended.
I just had my second baby a month ago. My bp was high toward the end of my pregnancy so they put me on labetalol mg 2x a day which dropped my hr to They took me off then my family dr put me on labetalol 50mg 2x a day which lowered my heart rate so they took me off of that this past week. And 10mg of paxil for anxiety. When I stand up and move around it increases.
Should I be worried? I had an ekg done this past week and the Dr said everything is completely fine. Also, in the morning i get anxious because I have to take my bp and my pulse goes up to What are your thoughts? The heart rate itself is not necessarily a cause for concern and its reassuring that the ekg was normal. It would be more concerning if there were pauses, dizziness, passing out etc. Slower heart rate has been described with use of methyldopa and it may be associated.
Keep a heart rate diary and take this to the practitioner next time you visit. I am a 34 year old male with severe anxiety. My heart rate is consistently between 46 and Symptoms have been undiagnosed for over a year. I notice my symptoms when my heart rate drops. Could this be my anxiety causing my low heart rate? Any suggestions? I feel so hopeless. Anxiety is not likely to be related to low heart rate although some of the associated medications may be.
I just got an Apple Watch that monitors my heart beat every few minutes. My heart rate ranged from yesterday and today. My dip in heart rate today was during mid morning. The watches are know to be inaccurate at times. In those with sleep apnea, overnight dips may be common. So urgently i contacted to my Doctor Stadtgraben 93 Straubing. He examined and recommend me medicines. When i use this spray then some lack of my sharp pain.
But this is temporary, i am not feel well. After complete tests my Doctor give me appointment for Forth operation dated August 04, time But they are not sure exactly what is the problem. All tests reports are good stents conditions, blood pressure everything is good. What is the reason of pain they cannot say anything. It not really possible to comment without detailed records and viewing the angiography films. Have you tried seeking a second opinion there?
I am a 60 year old woman with type 2 diabetes and high BP, I take metformin and losartan. I am about 25 pounds over weight. I am not athletic, I do work on my feet as a nurse 8 hours a day. I have 2 sisters and a brother with hashimotos thyroid disease, should I be checked out for heart rate and thyroid.
I also had calcium scan with result of 0, and ekg in Feb that showed normal sinus rhythm. I think checking thyroid is an excellent idea. The heart rate itself is not necessarily an issue if no symptoms are accompanying it and the response to exercise is certainly reassuring. Would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of a case study, or a discussion group, for a person like myself. But, as you age, it could be a sign of trouble, and even lead to chronic disease.
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