Is Bradycardia Unhealthy?

Miguel Indurian, a professional athlete, measured a resting heart rate of 23 beats per minute. If this individual was not highly trained, the slow rate of his heart could have easily caused death. Bradycardia is characterized by a slow heart rate that can cause a lack of oxygen to the vital organs of the body. Resting numbers, like those of professional athletes, tend to be lower than the general population.
There are several different types of bradycardia and not all of them are considered life threatening.
Sinus - The heart naturally slows when breath in taken into the body. Exhaling subsequently increases the rate again.
Sick Sinus - A more severe version of sinus that may lead to heart related illness. Commonly referred to as a flutter or arterial fibrillation.
Atrioventricular Nodal - A slow movement between the bump and the spike on an ECG.
Ventricular - A heart rate below 50 beats per minute.
Infantile - Infants with a heartbeat below 100.
Potential Causes
The causes can include cardiac arrhythmia, drug use, metabolic disorder or endocrine disorder. Palpation of the slower than normal heartbeat or an ECG will be required to make an official diagnosis. Treatments will be based on the severity of the bradycardia and the surrounding symptoms. Medicine and lifestyle changes may be prescribed by the attending physician. In some cases, a heart rate monitor may be worn to record and transmit the condition of the heart for a better lloki at overall heart health and the effect of treatments on the condition.