Most people have experienced a racing or fast heart rate, possibly due to adrenaline, anxiety, or physical activity. But have you thought about a slow heart rate? Should you be concerned if your resting heart rate is below the normal level? Show  Slow Isn’t Always BadA slow resting heart rate is known as bradycardia, which occurs at 60 beats per minute (bpm) or less, even when active. In contrast, a normal resting heart rate will fall in a range between 60 – 100 bpm. A slow heartbeat isn't always a concern, though. A resting heart rate between 40 and 60 beats a minute during sleep is common for many people during sleep. It’s also common for trained athletes, healthy young adults, and those who work out regularly to have a low heart rate while exercising – this low heart rate associated with fitness is health and normal. Also, older adults frequently have slower heart rates as their normal rhythms tend to slow down over time. Yet, there are times when a slow heart rate can indicate an underlying health condition. If you have a slow resting heart rate along with the following symptoms it can be cause for concern:
Fortunately, bradycardia usually isn’t an emergency and typically gives doctors some time to choose the right treatment. Causes of Low Heart Rate ProblemsThe most common cause of a low heart rate is a malfunction in the heart’s sinus node, its natural pacemaker. This area sends our electrical signals telling the top and bottom heart chambers the timing of when to pump blood through the body. Other causes of low heart rate include an atrioventricular block, age, and certain conditions such as inflammation of the heart muscle, low thyroid function, electrolyte imbalance, obstructive sleep apnea, or heart attack due to coronary artery disease. Is Treatment Required?A low resting heart rate without symptoms isn’t usually a cause of concern, but it’s good to know what problems might occur if this does become a problem. A low resting heart rate in the 30s, for example, means the required oxygen isn’t getting to the brain. This can make shortness of breath, fainting, and lightheadedness a possibility. For those with symptoms, visit your physician to explore the situation more in-depth. Sometimes an EKG is used to measure the electrical signals in your heart. If needed, a pacemaker can be implanted to speed up your heart rate. How to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Heart DiseaseEven though bradycardia may not be prevented, you can reduce your risk of heart disease through regular exercise, eating heathy foods, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check, managing stress, and monitoring and treating existing heart disease. I cannot overemphasize the importance of having regular physical exams and notifying your doctor of symptoms you are experiencing. This may be the only way to catch a problem that usually does not have symptoms early on. Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in 1 minute and is a measure of cardiac activity. Most healthy adults have a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute when they’re at rest. Bradycardia happens when your heart rate is slower than normal. While it’s possible for some healthy individuals to have a slow heart rate, a heart that’s beating slower than normal may also be an indication of a medical problem. Keep reading to learn more about bradycardia, what causes it, and how it’s treated. You have bradycardia when your heart rate is slower than 60 beats per minute at rest. In some cases, a slow heart rate is an indication of an extremely healthy heart. Athletes, for instance, often have lower than normal resting heart rates because their heart is strong and doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body. Your heart rate can also slow down when you’re in a deep sleep. During this time, it’s not unusual for your heart rate to drop below 60 beats per minute. Having a slower heart rate, however, can also be a sign of something more serious. A heart rate that’s too slow can mean that not enough oxygen-rich blood is reaching the organs and tissues in your body. This can affect your body’s ability to effectively carry out its normal processes and functions. Many people with bradycardia don’t have any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include:
If you’re having symptoms consistent with bradycardia, see a doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your symptoms. Recognizing a potential emergency situation It’s possible for bradycardia to happen due to damage to the heart muscle. When this occurs, it can interfere with the electrical signaling that coordinates your heartbeat. Some examples of heart-related conditions that may lead to the development of bradycardia include:
There are also several additional underlying conditions that may lead to bradycardia. These include:
Additionally, some medications may cause bradycardia as a side effect. A few examples include:
Sinus bradycardiaThe sinoatrial (SA) node is your heart’s natural pacemaker. It initiates the electrical impulses that travel through your heart muscle, resulting in your heartbeat. When your SA node sends out electrical impulses at a slower rate, it’s called sinus bradycardia. Sinus bradycardia can happen naturally due to the aging process. It can also occur due to several of the factors discussed above, including:
A thorough medical evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the cause of a slow heart rate. This will typically include the following:
Based on the findings from the evaluation above, it’s possible that your doctor may recommend additional testing, such as:
The treatment of bradycardia depends on what’s causing it. Bradycardia that’s mild or occasional may not require treatment. If a slow heart rate is due to the effect of a medication, it’s possible that your doctor may adjust your medication dosage. If possible, they could also switch you to a different medication that doesn’t have bradycardia as a side effect. Similarly, if an underlying condition is contributing to your bradycardia, your doctor will work to address that condition. For example, the medication levothyroxine can be used to manage hypothyroidism. It’s also possible that your doctor may recommend a pacemaker. This is an implanted medical device that stimulates heartbeats so that they occur at a regular rate and rhythm. Bradycardia is one of the main conditions for which a pacemaker may be recommended. MedicationsThere are also a few medications that may be used to treat bradycardia. These may be utilized when bradycardia is causing acute symptoms and isn’t due to a reversible cause, such as a medication side effect. Medications for bradycardia work to increase your heart rate and can include:
All of these medications are given via intravenous (IV) infusion. If they’re not effective at managing acute symptoms of bradycardia, temporary pacing (either transcutaneous or transvenous) may be used to ease bradycardia. COVID-19 is the illness that’s caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. There are several potential cardiovascular symptoms associated with COVID-19, one of which is bradycardia. It’s still unclear what exactly causes this symptom in individuals with COVID-19, but it may be due to one or a combination of the following factors:
Currently, most of the availablereports about bradycardia in COVID-19 have been in individuals that have been hospitalized. It’s unclear whether this symptom appears in people who aren’t hospitalized and, if so, how frequently it happens. The reports on how bradycardia during COVID-19 is treated can vary. While some individuals had bradycardia that resolved on its own, others required a temporary or permanent pacemaker. If you’re curious about your heart rate, you can measure it yourself. First, find your pulse by holding a finger (not your thumb) to the radial artery on the inside of your wrist. Then, count the number of beats per minute while you’re resting. Other places your heart rate can be measured include:
When you’re determining your heart rate, here are some numbers to keep in mind:
Bradycardia is when your heart rate is too slow. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, particularly those that can impact the heart’s normal electrical signaling. If you have bradycardia, your body may not be receiving enough oxygen to carry out its normal functions. Some people with bradycardia may not have any noticeable symptoms. However, others may experience fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath. In serious cases, chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness can occur. Bradycardia can be effectively managed through treatments that address what’s causing it. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes in your heart rate, especially if the changes are accompanied by other symptoms. What is dangerously low heart rate?If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute. Bradycardia can be a serious problem if the heart rate is very slow and the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. If this happens, you may feel dizzy, very tired or weak, and short of breath.
Is a heart rate of 40 to low?What is a low heart rate? Doctors consider a low heart rate to be 60 beats per minute (bpm) and below. In fact, if you have bradycardia, you'll have a low resting heart rate below 60, even when you're awake and active. In contrast, a normal range is 60 to 100 bpm while awake.
What low heart rate is alarming?In people who are not physically active, a resting heart rate below 60 is sometimes a sign of an electrical problem with the heart, a low thyroid level (hypothyroidism), or damage from a heart attack or heart disease.
Is a resting heart rate of 50 good?The normal range is between 50 and 100 beats per minute. If your resting heart rate is above 100, it's called tachycardia; below 60, and it's called bradycardia. Increasingly, experts pin an ideal resting heart rate at between 50 to 70 beats per minute.
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