A slow heart rate is less than 60 beats a minute. That is called bradycardia. Bradycardia can be normal. Or it can be caused by medicines. Or it can be a sign of a disease. The slow heart rate may not be constant. It can come and go. It's a concern when it is very low, or when you have symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bradycardia are:
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Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
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Weakness.
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Trouble breathing.
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Fainting.
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Sleepiness.
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More trouble exercising than normal because of tiredness (fatigue).
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Confusion or trouble concentrating.
Causes
Bradycardia can have many causes. Some can be linked to your heart. But some may be linked to other things.
Nonheart-related causes:
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Being older.
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A side effect of certain medicines. These include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digitalis, clonidine, lithium, and medicines to treat arrhythmias, such as amiodarone.
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Health conditions, like low thyroid (hypothyroidism) and electrolyte disorder. Other examples are low body temperature (hypothermia) and sleep apnea.
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Athletes, especially long-distance runners, may have a slow heart rate. This can be normal.
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Brain injury, such as stroke or bleeding inside the brain.
Heart-related causes:
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Coronary artery disease. This includes angina or past heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).
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Heart valve disease.
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Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy).
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Congestive heart failure.
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Sick sinus syndrome. This is when your heart's natural pacemaker is no longer working correctly.
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Heart block. This is when your heart's natural electrical pathways no longer work correctly.
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Diseases that enter the heart, such as sarcoid.
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Heart infections.
Sometimes the cause for the arrhythmia can't be found.
Bradycardia that causes symptoms is sometimes reversible. When more severe bradycardia continues, you may need a pacemaker. Bradycardia may not cause symptoms. In this case, your health care provider may decide to watch it over time.
Home care
You can care for yourself at home:
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Go back to your normal activities when you are feeling back to normal.
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If you have any of the symptoms of bradycardia when you exert yourself, stop. Don't exert yourself. Wait until you have seen your health care provider for an assessment.
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Work with your provider on any lifestyle changes you need. These might mean changing your diet, stopping smoking if you are a smoker, and starting an exercise program.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider as advised.
Call 911
Call
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You have chest pain.
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You have chest pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, neck, or back.
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You have trouble breathing.
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You have a slow heart rate with dizziness or lightheadedness.
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You fainted or lost consciousness.
When to get medical care
Contact your health care provider if:
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You have occasional weakness.
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You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
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You have abnormal trouble exercising.
