If an underlying health problem, such as thyroid disease or sleep apnea, is causing the slow heart rate, treatment of that condition might correct bradycardia. If you don't have symptoms, treatment might not be necessary.īradycardia treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication changes or an implanted device called a pacemaker. Treatment for bradycardia depends on the severity of symptoms and the cause of the slow heart rate. If you have difficulty exercising, a drug may be given to stimulate the heart in a way that's similar to exercise.Ī sleep study may be recommended if your health care provider thinks that repeated pauses in breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) are causing bradycardia. An ECG may be done to monitor your heart's activity while you ride on a stationary bicycle or walk on a treadmill. A tilt test is done to see if a change in position causes fainting. As you lie flat on a special table, the table is tilted as if you were standing up. This test may help your health care provider better understand how your bradycardia causes fainting spells. Some devices automatically record when an irregular heart rhythm is detected.Īn ECG may be done with other tests to understand how bradycardia affects you. You generally push a button when you feel symptoms. It's worn longer than a Holter monitor, typically 30 days. This device is similar to a Holter monitor, but it records only at certain times for a few minutes at a time. Carried in a pocket or worn on a belt or shoulder strap, this device records the heart's activity continuously for 24 hours or longer. An ECG can show if the heart is beating too slow, too fast or not at all.īecause an ECG can't detect bradycardia unless the slow heartbeat occurs during the test, your health care provider might recommend a portable ECG device. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which displays the results. Sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the main test used to diagnose bradycardia.
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