However, he notes that bradycardia isn’t often an emergency, so doctors have time to choose the right treatment. If not, implanting a pacemaker via minimally invasive surgery is the only option to speed up your heart rate, Dr. Sometimes changing medications or similar strategies can solve the problem. Once your doctor decides you might need treatment, they will try to rule out medications or other pre-existing conditions as causes.

Wearing a 24-hour monitor can also help your doctor see how your heart performs over time. They may use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure the electrical signals in your heart, in order to see whether they’re firing correctly. Your doctor will first ask about your usual activities and conduct a physical exam. If you are concerned about a low heart rate, visiting your physician can help determine the causes. Blood can also pool in your heart chambers, causing congestive heart failure.Īdvertising Policy The importance of monitoring your heart rate However, it’s a good idea to know the signs of trouble because bradycardia in some cases does require treatment.įor example, if your heart rate drops into the 30s, you might not get enough oxygen to your brain, making fainting, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath possible.

If your heart rate is slow, but you don’t have symptoms, there’s no reason to worry. However, if you have symptoms but ignore them, it can sometimes cause more serious problems.Ĭonsult your doctor if you are experiencing some of these symptoms and you have an associated slow heart rate: It is very possible to have a slow heart rate and experience no symptoms. What are the symptoms of a low heart rate? Certain medications, including beta blockers and antiarrhythmics.Ĭongenital heart defects, diabetes or long-standing high blood pressure all may make bradycardia more likely, says Dr.A bacterial infection in the blood that attacks your heart.Heart attacks due to coronary artery disease.Illness or other conditions may also cause bradycardia. The condition is most common among men and women over age 65. Common medications used in older populations can also often make bradycardia more significant.” AgeĪge is the most common risk factor for developing bradycardia. “It’s like having virtual electrical cables and wires inside the heart,” Dr. AV BlockĪnother cause of bradycardia is atrioventricular block ( AV Block), in which the top and bottom chambers don’t communicate well and your heart rate drops as a result. It controls how quickly the top and bottom heart chambers pump blood through the body. The most common cause for bradycardia is a malfunction in the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node. Many things can bring on a slow heart rate. When you’re asleep, your heart rate normally slows down to 40 to 60 beats a minute. Can what’s considered a low heart rate change depending on the activity?įor most young people, highly trained athletes, and people who work out regularly, a low heart rate while exercising - defined as below 60 bpm - is normal and healthy. In contrast, a normal range is 60 to 100 bpm while awake. In fact, if you have bradycardia, you’ll have a low resting heart rate below 60, even when you’re awake and active. What is a low heart rate?ĭoctors consider a low heart rate to be 60 beats per minute (bpm) and below. Baez-Escudero shares when to worry about low heart rate - and the signs and symptoms to watch for. “As a result, the normal rhythm tends to slow down.”ĭr. “As people get older, there is occasional normal wear and tear on the electrical system of the heart,” says cardiologist Jose Baez-Escudero, MD. PolicyĪ slow heart rate (or a low heart rate) is known as bradycardia, and occurs frequently in older adults. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

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