Bradycardia is most often suspected based on a report of symptoms, by taking your pulse, or both.
Your health care provider may recommend additional tests to confirm that you, in fact, have bradycardia. Further tests also can help determine its cause. These tests may include:
Your health team will also consider and try to rule out other conditions that might be contributing to a slower heart rate. For example, sleep apnea — a sleep disorder that results in shallow or pauses in breathing — can cause bradycardia due to a lack of oxygen.