Bradycardia or Slow Heart Rhythm Treatment in NYC
What is bradycardia?
Unlike premature contraction beats, which are described as extra heartbeats, bradycardia is described as a low or slow heart rate – meaning your heart beats at less than 60 beats per minute. For some people, such as trained athletes, a slow heart may be considered normal. Your doctor can help assess whether your slowed heart rate is a cause for concern.
What causes bradycardia?
Bradycardia, which is a type of arrhythmia, can occur when certain signals in your heart are blocked or move slower than usual. Various conditions may cause you to experience symptoms associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia may be caused by:
- Damage to your tissue due to aging
- Heart diseases or having a heart attack
- Congenital heart defects
- Myocarditis
- Heart surgery complications
- Hypothyroidism
- Chemical imbalances of the blood
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Certain inflammatory diseases
- Certain medications
What are the symptoms of bradycardia?
Having a slower heart rate may cause other organs in your body to become deprived of oxygen. The lack of or lessened levels of oxygen may result is certain symptoms, such as:
- Fainting or almost fainting
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling fatigue
- Experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath
- Feeling confused
- Becoming tired quickly during physical activity
How is bradycardia diagnosed?
To help determine if you have bradycardia, your doctor may begin by asking you what symptoms you have been experiencing. Your doctor may also recommend a physical or various tests to assess your heart rate and help detect any underlying conditions which may be causing bradycardia. Testing may include:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Holter monitor
- Event recorder
- Tilt table test
- Exercise stress test
- Blood tests or other lab tests
How is bradycardia treated?
If you have no symptoms of bradycardia, treatment may not be needed. In cases where an underlying disorder is causing bradycardia, your doctor may recommend treating the underlying disorder. Certain medications that you are taking may also be causing bradycardia. Your doctor may recommend adjusting your medication regimen in order to correct the arrhythmia of your heart.
In some cases, a pacemaker may be recommended to monitor your heart and correct any irregularities in your heartbeat.
Our heart and vein doctors at Heart Vein NYC have over 20 years of experience providing the New York City area with comprehensive,
