Bradycardia

Bradycardia is a medical term for a slow heart rate. 

Most adult hearts beat between 50 and 100 times per minute at rest. If you have bradycardia, your resting heart rate is slower than usual—beating fewer than 50 times per minute. 

Bradycardia can be harmless, but in some cases it can be life-threatening. For certain people — mostly young adults and trained athletes—a slow heart rate is normal and doesn’t cause any symptoms or health problems.

For others, bradycardia can cause symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting, which should be looked into and treated. That’s when the body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs because the heart’s pumping action is slowed. 

Keep reading to learn more about bradycardia, how to manage it, and questions to ask your doctor.