slow heartbeat

A slow heartbeat is called bradycardia and is defined as a heart rate that is slower than healthy levels. In most adults, the heart beats at least 60 times per minute. Faster, age-related heart rates are considered healthy in children.

 

When a person is at rest, the heart normally beats at a rate that is within a relatively narrow range. This range is usually 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults, slightly faster in children, and somewhat slower in trained athletes.

 

With certain conditions, however, the heart rate may decrease below a healthy range. When the heart beats lower than the healthy range, the body may not get all the blood it needs to work correctly. This can affect a person's overall health and energy levels.

 

A person with a slow heartbeat may have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

 

There are many possible causes of a slow heartbeat, including: arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats caused either by abnormalities in the electrical conduction system of the heart, by damage to the heart muscle, or by salt imbalances, particularly low potassiumcertain medicines, such as atenolol (i.e., Tenormin) and diltiazem (i.e., Cardizem, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Dilt-CD, Diltia XT, Taztia XT, Tiazac), commonly used to treat high blood pressure, or digoxin (i.e., Lanoxin), commonly used to treat congestive heart failureheroin overdosehypothyroidism, that is, a low level of thyroid hormone in the bodyserious head injuries or brain damage, which can lead to a condition called increased intracranial pressureshock, a serious condition in which there is poor blood circulation. If this is left untreated, it can result in death

Most cases cannot be prevented. Medicines should be taken exactly as prescribed. The doses should not be more than the healthcare professional has prescribed. Avoiding heroin could prevent cases due to heroin overdose.

The speed of the heartbeat can usually be measured by checking the pulse or listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. The healthcare professional needs to determine the cause of the a slow heartbeat. Sometimes it is obvious from the history and physical exam. In other cases, further tests may be needed.