What is a Bradyarrhythmia?

At rest, your heart normally beats between 60 and 80 times a minute. A rate lower than 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) is normal only if you are resting, asleep, or very physically fit.

There are two causes of abnormally slow heart rate:

• the SA node may fire too slowly, or

• the electrical signal cannot propagate normally from the atria to the ventricles.

An abnormally slow heart rate or a very long pause between beats can cause tiredness, lightheadedness, or fainting. This condition is treated with a pacemaker.

Tachyarrhythmia

Exercise, mental or emotional stress, and some illnesses can cause your heart rate to accelerate. A heart rate over 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. A tachycardia can be a normal adaptation to certain conditions (for example exercise) or, can occur inappropriately, and is then called a tachyarrhythmia.

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