Bradycardia
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Bradycardia
beats), it pumps blood all over the body. Normally, the heart beats in a regular way 60 to 100 times a minute. пїЅ пїЅ
What causes the heart to beat too slowly? " пїЅ The heart can beat too slowly if: пїЅ пїЅ
Having a slow heartbeat doesn't always cause problems. Both children and adults can have bradycardia and still be healthy. For example, it is common for athletes to have a slow heartbeat. It is also common for people to have a slower heartbeat when they are sleeping. пїЅ пїЅ
Certain medicines, especially medicines used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure, can also cause bradycardia. пїЅ пїЅ
Other times, bradycardia is caused by a problem or condition, such as: пїЅ пїЅ
What are the symptoms of bradycardia? " пїЅ Some people have no symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ
Should I call my doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. If you or your child has symptoms of bradycardia, call your doctor or nurse. пїЅ пїЅ
Is there a test for bradycardia? " пїЅ Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. During the exam, he or she will check your pulse and listen to your heart. пїЅ пїЅ
Your doctor might want to record your heartbeat over the course of hours or days. If so, he or she will have you wear or carry a heart monitor device around at home (figure 2). This device will measure and record your heart's electrical activity. You should keep doing your normal activities while you wear or carry the monitor. While you wear the monitor, you should also write down any symptoms you have. That way, your doctor can see if bradycardia is causing your symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ
After your doctor knows for sure that you have bradycardia, he or she will do tests to look for the cause. These can include: пїЅ пїЅ
How is bradycardia treated? " пїЅ Treatment depends on your symptoms and what's causing your bradycardia. пїЅ пїЅ
People who have no symptoms usually do not need treatment. пїЅ пїЅ
People who have symptoms will likely need treatment. Your doctor might change or stop any medicines that could be slowing your heartbeat. пїЅ пїЅ
Some people with bradycardia are treated with a device called a "pacemaker. " пїЅ A pacemaker sits under the skin near a person's heart and sends electrical signals to the heart. These signals help the heart beat at a normal rate. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Electrical signals don't start often enough.
- The electrical signal gets slowed down or blocked as it spreads across the heart.
- A problem with the heart's electrical system.
- Other heart problems, including recent heart surgery or a heart attack.
- Certain infections.
- Sleep apnea " пїЅ This is when people stop breathing for short amounts of time when they are asleep.
- Anorexia " пїЅ This is an eating disorder that makes people lose more weight than is healthy.
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Fainting or feeling like you are going to faint
- Feeling tired, either all the time or only when you exercise
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Eating less than usual or acting tired (in babies)
- Blood tests
- Tests to see how your heartbeat changes when you get certain medicines
Person having an ECG
This drawing shows a man having an ECG (also called an electrocardiogram or EKG). He has patches, called "electrodes," stuck onto his chest, arms, and legs. Wires run from the electrodes to the ECG machine. An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart.
Graphic 53145 Version 2.0
Person having an ECG
This drawing shows a man having an ECG (also called an electrocardiogram or EKG). He has patches, called "electrodes," stuck onto his chest, arms, and legs. Wires run from the electrodes to the ECG machine. An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart.
Graphic 53145 Version 2.0
Holter monitor
People with possible heart problems are sometimes asked to wear a device called a Holter monitor for 1 or 2 days. The device measures the electrical activity in the heart. It helps doctors pinpoint heart rhythm problems. You will have "electrodes " пїЅ stuck to your chest that are connected to wires leading to the monitor. These electrodes tell the monitor how often your heart beats and if it has a normal rhythm. While you have a Holter monitor on, you should do your normal activities but keep the electrodes, wires and device dry. Some people have an abnormal heart rhythm only during certain activities or certain times of the day.
Graphic 76605 Version 7.0
Holter monitor
People with possible heart problems are sometimes asked to wear a device called a Holter monitor for 1 or 2 days. The device measures the electrical activity in the heart. It helps doctors pinpoint heart rhythm problems. You will have "electrodes " пїЅ stuck to your chest that are connected to wires leading to the monitor. These electrodes tell the monitor how often your heart beats and if it has a normal rhythm. While you have a Holter monitor on, you should do your normal activities but keep the electrodes, wires and device dry. Some people have an abnormal heart rhythm only during certain activities or certain times of the day.
Graphic 76605 Version 7.0