Bradycardia = too slow
A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) in adults is called bradycardia. What's too slow for you may depend on your age and physical condition.

• Physically active adults often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM but it doesn't cause problems.
• Your heart rate may fall below 60 BPM during deep sleep.
• Elderly people are more prone to problems with a slow heart rate.

Causes of bradycardia

• Problems with the sinoatrial (SA) node, sometimes called the heart's natural pacemaker
• Problems in the conduction pathways of the heart (electrical impulses are not conducted from the atria to the ventricles)
• Metabolic problems such as hypothermia
• Damage to the heart from heart attack or heart disease

Symptoms of bradycardia
A heart rhythm that's too slow can cause insufficient blood flow to the brain with symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• In extreme cases, cardiac arrest may occur.

Complications of bradycardia
Severe, prolonged untreated bradycardia can cause:

• Heart failure
• Syncope (loss of consciousness; fainting)
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• High blood pressure

Treatments for bradycardia

• Not usually needed except with prolonged or repeated symptoms
• Can usually be corrected with an artificial pacemaker to speed up the heart rhythm as needed
• Medication may be adjusted.