Bradycardia Overview
Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart beat of less than 60 beats per minute.
A normal rate in adults is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Bradycardia complications
Some people who have slow heart beats are completely healthy, such as athletes whose exercise regimen improves their heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
In other people, however, the heart beats so slowly that the body does not get enough blood and oxygen to function properly.
In serious cases, bradycardia can cause:
- Fainting
- Chest pan
- Cardiac arrest
About the UPMC Cardiac Electrophysiology Program
The UPMC Cardiac Electrophysiology Program is the largest in western Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States.
We treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as bradycardia, and other heart disorders associated with a high risk of sudden death.
What distinguishes our program?
- Our subspecialty centers — for evaluating and managing atrial arrhythmias, and infected implanted pacemakers and other heart-rhythm devices.
- Our program leaders — pioneers of novel ablation procedures for restoring normal heart rhythm.
Diagnosing Bradycardia
Aging, medications, or an existing heart condition may cause bradycardia.
Bradycardia symptoms
In addition to an abnormally slow heart rate, symptoms of bradycardia may include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
Testing for bradycardia
During your physical exam, your doctor will:
- Ask about your symptoms and when they started
- Discuss your medical history
- Listen to your heart with a stethoscope
Following your exam, your doctor may order additional tests and procedures, such as:
Testing results
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your test results and will call you when they're available.
Bradycardia Treatment
Bradycardia treatment depends on your test results.
- No underlying heart disease is detected
- Heart’s response to exercise is normal
- No symptoms of low cardiac output
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- Treatment may not be required
- Monitor your heart rhythm periodically
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- Bradycardia caused by an underlying disorder, such as hypothyroidism or obstructive sleep apnea
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- Treat the underlying disorder, which may correct abnormal heart rhythm
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- Bradycardia caused by medicine
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- Prescribe a lower dose or another medicine
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- Bradycardia caused by a problem with your heart’s conduction system
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- Implant pacemaker, which produces electrical impulses, when needed, to steady heart rate
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Learn more about heart and vascular treatments at UPMC.