While it is normal for a healthy heart to beat slower while at rest, it should generally fall between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Anything below 60 beats per min is described as bradycardia or an abnormally slow heartbeat.
A slow or irregular heartbeat can have a number of different causes and may not always be a serious issue, but could also point to an underlying heart problem that requires treatment.
A slow heartbeat can be a sign of a congenital heart abnormality or damage to the heart tissue, either by heart disease, heart attack, or the natural process of aging. Inflammation affecting heart tissue, known as myocarditis, can also cause bradycardia. See what else is linked to bradycardia here.
Ignoring bradycardia can lead to new or worsening symptoms and over the long term, increase your risk of cardiac arrest. Any symptoms should be reported to your cardiologist, especially if you have a personal family history of heart problems.
