What if pulse rate is too low

A doctor may not always need to treat a slow heart rate. However, when a slow heart rate causes serious health problems or when heart disease slows the heart, it is essential that people receive treatment. An artificial pacemaker, which is an electrical device that a doctor inserts into the heart to promote regular rhythms, can help. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U. It is crucial that a person takes any changes in heart health, blood pressure, or pulse seriously.

However, a slow heart rate is not always a reason for concern. In many cases, a slow heart rate is merely a variation of normal. It may even be a sign of heart health and indicate good levels of fitness.

People should see a doctor for guidance and reassurance. Read the article in Spanish. QT prolongation occurs when the heart takes longer to contract and relax than it usually does. Learn more about the effects of QT prolongation here.

Dysrhythmia and arrhythmia are both terms doctors use to describe an abnormal heart rate. Types include bradyarrhythmia or supraventricular arrhythmia. Ventricular tachycardia VT causes the heart to beat at a rate of over beats per minute. VT causes include underlying heart disease. Learn more. Bradyarrhythmia means a slow heart rate with an arrhythmia.

It is not always a cause for concern but may signal a serious underlying condition. Atrial fibrillation creates an irregular heart rhythm through electrical signal malfunctions.

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of the…. Doctors consider a low heart rate to be 60 beats per minute bpm and below. In contrast, a normal range is 60 to bpm while awake. For most young people, highly trained athletes, and people who work out regularly, a low heart rate while exercising — defined as below 60 bpm — is normal and healthy.

The same goes for your nightly snooze. It controls how quickly the top and bottom heart chambers pump blood through the body. Baez-Escudero says. Common medications used in older populations can also often make bradycardia more significant. Age is the most common risk factor for developing bradycardia. The condition is most common among men and women over age As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

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It means that the heart's natural pacemaker isn't working right or that the electrical pathways of the heart are disrupted. Sometimes, the heart beats so slowly that it doesn't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can cause symptoms, such as feeling dizzy or weak. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. Some people don't have symptoms, or their symptoms are so mild that they think they are just part of getting older. You can find out how fast your heart is beating by taking your pulse.

If your heartbeat is slow or uneven, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may take your pulse to diagnose bradycardia. Your doctor might also do a physical exam, ask questions about your past health, and do an electrocardiogram EKG or ECG. An EKG measures the electrical signals that control heart rhythm. Bradycardia often comes and goes, so a standard EKG done in the doctor's office may not find it.

An EKG can identify bradycardia only if you are actually having it during the test. You may need to wear or carry a device called a portable, or ambulatory, electrocardiogram. Examples include a Holter monitor and a cardiac event monitor.

You might use it for a day or more. It records your heart rhythm while you go about your daily routine. How bradycardia is treated depends on what is causing it. Treatment also depends on the symptoms. If bradycardia doesn't cause symptoms, it may not be treated. You and your doctor can decide what treatment is right for you.

The goal of treatment is to raise your heart rate and relieve symptoms. For certain types of bradycardia, treatment may help prevent serious problems. These problems include fainting, injuries from fainting, and even death.

Bradycardia is often the result of another heart condition, so taking steps to live a heart-healthy lifestyle will usually improve your overall health. The steps include:. Get emergency help if you fainted or if you have symptoms of a heart attack or have severe shortness of breath.