Bradycardia
Condition in which the heart beats 60 beats per minute or less, which may not meet the body's need for blood.
Symptoms:
- dizziness
- extreme fatigue
- shortness of breath
- fainting spells
Bradycardia is caused by failure of the heart's pacemaker cells to emit signals or failure to conduct its impulses to the ventricles (called "heart block.") Some medications may worsen an underlying tendency to bradycardia. When bradycardia is severe enough to require treatment, a pacemaker is implanted.
Bradycardia may occur in healthy young persons or trained athletes and is not a harmful condition in these instances. |
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