About-Cardio
-
We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Low Heart Rate (Bradycardia): Causes and Implications
Introduction
A low heart rate, also called bradycardia, occurs when the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute. While it can be normal in healthy individuals, especially athletes, it can also indicate underlying health issues.
Causes of Bradycardia
1. Physiological Causes
- Athletic Heart Syndrome: Well-trained athletes often have a naturally lower heart rate due to increased heart efficiency.
- Sleep: Heart rate slows naturally during sleep.
2. Pathological Causes
- Heart Conditions:
- Sick sinus syndrome (malfunctioning natural pacemaker)
- Heart block (disruptions in electrical signals of the heart)
- Prior heart attack or heart disease causing structural damage
- Metabolic Disorders:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium and calcium disturbances)
- Neurological Factors:
- Increased vagal tone (e.g., due to vasovagal syncope)
- Nervous system disorders like Parkinson’s disease
- Infections and Inflammatory Diseases:
- Myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle)
3. Medications That Can Cause Bradycardia
- Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol)
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil)
- Digoxin
- Some sedatives or opioids
4. Other Causes
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Aging and degenerative changes in heart tissue
When to Seek Medical Attention?
- Dizziness, fainting, or fatigue
- Confusion or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or heart palpitations
- Sudden worsening of symptoms
Conclusion
While some cases of bradycardia are harmless, others require medical evaluation. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for determining the best treatment.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Bradycardia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000628
- https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2018/11/05/15/12/2018-acc-aha-hrs-guideline-on-bradycardia
- https://www.jacc.org/guidelines/bradycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30412710/
- https://www.hrsonline.org/guidance/clinical-resources/2018-accahahrs-guideline-evaluation-and-management-patients-bradycardia-and-cardiac-conduction
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/34/29/2281/401445
- https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-14/Overview-of-devices-in-advanced-heart-failure
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11757831/
- https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-12/The-subcutaneous-defibrillator-who-stands-to-benefit
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39836347/
-
If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.