Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate)
Cause
Bradycardia can be caused by:
- Conditions that damage the heart's electrical system and disrupt the regular, rhythmic impulses that keep the heart rate normal. These conditions include:
- The aging process. A slow heart rate may develop as a result of age-related changes in the heart.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Heart attack.
- Heart surgery.
- Myocarditis.
- Endocarditis.
- Sarcoidosis.
- Lyme disease.
- Conditions or medicines that slow the passing of electrical signals through the heart but are not the result of heart damage. These conditions include:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).
- Electrolyte imbalances, such as abnormal blood levels of potassium (hyperkalemia).
- In some people, certain circumstances, such as standing for a long time, pain, coughing, and vomiting, that stimulate the nervous system and slow the heart rate. The slow heart rate is usually temporary.
- Heart medicines, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmics, and digoxin.
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| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: July 7, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Laurence Epstein, MD - Cardiac Electrophysiologist | |
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