Bradycardia Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Some types of bradycardia produce no symptoms. Others may cause noticeable symptoms, such as:

• Fainting or loss of consciousness (“syncope”)
• Dizziness, sensation of light-headedness
• Weakness
• Mild fatigue
• Sensation of your heart fluttering (palpitations)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Serious forms of bradycardia, such as complete heart block, are medical emergencies. They can lead to loss of consciousness or sudden cardiac arrest .

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. In particular, the doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests—to look for certain abnormalities that may explain the bradycardia (eg, electrolytes, glucose, thyroid function, and drug levels)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart’s activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle.
• Echocardiogram —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart.
• Holter monitor or event monitor—a portable, continuous heart rhythm monitor that you wear as you perform normal daily activities.
• Exercise stress test —a test that records the heart’s electrical activity during increased physical activity.
• Nuclear scanning—radioactive material is injected into a vein and observed as it is distributed through the heart muscle to look for coronary artery disease.
• Coronary angiography —x-rays taken after a dye is injected into the arteries; this allows the doctor to look for abnormalities in the coronary arteries of the heart.