Bradycardia

Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate that can develop into a serious problem if it isn’t monitored. For some people (mainly athletes and healthy young adults), this condition is normal and won’t cause any symptoms or complications. For others, the low heart rate can cause less oxygen-rich blood to reach the brain and other organs. In this case, a person may experience fainting or dizziness, weakness, fatigue, chest pains, confusion and memory problems, and easy tiring during physical activity. Bradycardia may develop due to an underlying condition such as a thyroid disorder or sleep apnea, and treatment will be aimed at controlling these conditions. Treatment may include careful monitoring, medications and implanting a pacemaker to track the heart rate and administer electrical impulses.