Bradycardia Treatments

Treatment

If no underlying heart disease is detected, the heart’s response to exercise is normal, and there are no symptoms of low cardiac output, treatment may not be required. Your doctor may choose to monitor your heart rate and rhythm periodically. People with cardiac symptoms and conditions usually receive treatment.

Treatment for symptomatic bradycardia may include:

• Discontinuing any medications that slow the heart rate
• Diagnosis and treatment of any underlying conditions
• Intravenous (IV) atropine–this medication may be used to temporarily increase heart rate
• Artificial pacemaker–this device may be either temporarily or permanently implanted under the skin in the chest wall. Whenever the heart rate drops too low, the pacemaker takes over the job of providing the electrical impulses needed to establish and maintain a normal heart rhythm.