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If your heartbeat is too slow, your body might not be getting the blood it needs to function correctly. At the Arizona Heart Rhythm Center, their cardiovascular specialists offer in-office testing like electrocardiograms (EKGs) to determine what’s causing your slow heartbeat. The providers also tailor a treatment plan to your needs using medication or surgery to place a pacemaker. Call the office in Prescott, Gilbert, Peoria (Sun City), Phoenix, or Yuma, Arizona, today or go online o schedule a diagnostic evaluation for bradycardia symptoms.
What is bradycardia?
Bradycardia is an arrhythmia that describes a slow heart rate. Typically, an adult’s heart beats between 60 and 100 times a minute while you’re at rest. If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute.
If your heart beats very slowly, your body can’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. This can cause several severe health problems.
Risk factors for bradycardia include:
- Aging
- Smoking
- Heart attack
- Hypothyroidism
- Inflammation (myocarditis)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Congenital heart defects
The use of some medications can also trigger bradycardia. If you have heart surgery to treat another condition, bradycardia can be a surgical complication.
When should I seek treatment for bradycardia?
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Arizona Heart Rhythm Center if you have symptoms of bradycardia:
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Persistent fatigue
- Shortness of breath
To confirm bradycardia and identify its underlying cause, the cardiovascular specialists perform a physical exam and review your medical history and lifestyle. They might also request blood work and diagnostic tests like electrocardiogram (EKG), stress testing, or tilt-table testing.
You might also need to wear a Holter monitor. This external device records your heart’s activity over several hours or days.
Based on your test results, the providers design a treatment plan to restore your heart’s rhythm.
How is bradycardia treated?
Your treatment plan for bradycardia can initially involve lifestyle and diet changes. You should follow a heart-healthy, low-fat diet and include more fresh foods in your diet. The Arizona Heart Rhythm center providers also offer resources that help you quit smoking for good.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to fix your irregular heartbeat, the providers could recommend prescription medication to control your heart rate.
Some people with bradycardia require a pacemaker. This implantable device delivers electrical impulses to your heart when it beats too slowly. If you need a pacemaker, you’ll have surgery to implant the device into your body. It monitors your heart rate, sending electrical impulses only when your heart rate is low.
Schedule a diagnostic evaluation for bradycardia symptoms online or call the Arizona Heart Rhythm Center office near you today.