What is bradyarrhythmia?

Bradyarrhythmia refers to a slower-than-normal heart rate. This is usually when your heart has fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. It occurs when the heart's electrical system does not function properly, which results in a delay or block in electrical signals that control the heart's rhythm. Although it can be harmless in some individuals, bradyarrhythmia can lead to serious heart issues, especially if it’s left untreated.

Common related conditions

Bradycardia Arrhythmia (Slow Heartbeat)

Causes of bradyarrhythmia

Bradyarrhythmia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Age-related changes in the heart
Heart disease (such as coronary artery disease or heart attacks)
Electrolyte imbalances
Medications that slow the heart rate

It can also be associated with problems in the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial node) or the conduction pathways that control your heart rhythms.

Risk factors for bradyarrhythmia

Risk factors for bradyarrhythmia include:

Getting older
Heart disease (especially coronary artery disease or previous heart attacks)
High blood pressure
Medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
Electrolyte imbalances
Hypothyroidism

Having a family history of heart rhythm disorders

Symptoms of bradyarrhythmia

Bradyarrhythmia may not always cause symptoms, especially in people who are physically fit or athletes. However, when symptoms do happen, they can include:

Fatigue
Dizziness
Fainting (syncope)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Confusion

In severe cases, bradyarrhythmia can lead to heart failure or other life-threatening conditions.

Diagnosing bradyarrhythmia

Bradyarrhythmia is typically diagnosed through an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG will show a slow heart rate and any patterns in the heart's electrical signals that are different.
Additional tests, like a Holter monitor or an exercise stress test, may be used to monitor your heart's activity over time and identify the underlying cause of the bradyarrhythmia.

Treatment of bradyarrhythmia

Treatment for bradyarrhythmia depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. If bradyarrhythmia is causing symptoms, treatments may include:

Medications to regulate heart rate
In more severe cases, the implantation of a pacemaker

Bradyarrhythmia