Treatment for bradycardia
treadmill. If you have difficulty exercising, a drug may be given to stimulate the heart in a way that's similar to exercise. A sleep study may be recommended if your health care provider thinks that repeated pauses in breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) are causing bradycardia. Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your bradycardia-related health concerns Start Here More Information Bradycardia care at Mayo Clinic Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) Holter monitor Show more related information Treatment Treatment for bradycardia depends on the severity of symptoms and the cause of the slow heart rate. If you don't have symptoms, treatment might not be necessary. Bradycardia treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication changes or an implanted device called a pacemaker. If an underlying health problem, such as thyroid disease or sleep apnea, is causing the slow heart rate, treatment of that condition might correct bradycardia. Medications Many medications, including those used to treat other heart conditions, can cause bradycardia. Always let your health care provider know about all the medications you take, including those bought without a prescription. If a medication you're taking is causing bradycardia, your health care provider may recommend a lower dosage or a different medication. Surgery or other procedures When other treatments aren't possible and bradycardia symptoms are severe, a device called a pacemaker is necessary to control the heart rhythm. Pacemakers work only when needed. When the heart beats too slowly, the pacemaker sends electrical signals to the heart to speed up the beat. Having a pacemaker implanted requires a surgical procedure. One or more wires are inserted into a major vein under or near the collarbone and guided to the heart using X-rays as a guide. One end of each wire is secured at the appropriate area in the heart, while the other end is attached to a device (pulse generator) implanted under the skin beneath the collarbone. A leadless pacemaker is smaller and typically requires a less invasive surgery to implant the device.