Bradycardia

Bradycardia is a slower-than-usual heart rate at rest. In some people, such as athletes, it can be normal; in others, it reflects a disturbance in the system that regulates the heartbeat.

Which specialist treats it? The cardiologist is the one who studies the heart rhythm; in children the pediatric cardiologist steps in, and the internal medicine or emergency physician may take part depending on the context.

Common symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, a feeling of faintness, or difficulty performing exertion, although at times it causes no discomfort.

When to seek care? If the slow beats are accompanied by dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath, it is worth scheduling an evaluation to identify the cause and guide the follow-up.