Slow Heartbeat

Latido cardíaco lento

Also: Bradicardia (regional variant)

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishSlow Heartbeat
Spanish (Español) Latido cardíaco lento
Chinese (中文) 心跳過慢
Korean (한국어) 느린 심박수
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Nhịp tim chậm
Filipino (Tagalog) Mabagal na tibok ng puso
Portuguese (Português) Bradicardia
Thai (ภาษาไทย) หัวใจเต้นช้า
Japanese (日本語) 徐脈

What it means

A slow heartbeat (bradycardia) means the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute at rest. In well-trained athletes this is normal and healthy. In others, it may cause fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, near-fainting, or confusion. Causes include hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, and certain medications such as beta-blockers and digoxin. Call 911 if bradycardia is associated with fainting, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. Mild bradycardia without symptoms may only need monitoring. Your doctor may order an ECG, Holter monitor, or blood tests to find the cause and determine if a pacemaker is needed.

How to say it

Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:

My heart rate has been measured as low as 40 beats per minute and I feel very tired and dizzy.

Mi frecuencia cardíaca ha sido de hasta 40 latidos por minuto y me siento muy cansado y mareado.

I feel faint and short of breath, and I was told my pulse is very slow.

Me siento a punto de desmayarme y con falta de aliento, y me dijeron que mi pulso está muy lento.

I take a beta-blocker and my heart rate has been unusually low lately.

Tomo un betabloqueante y mi frecuencia cardíaca ha estado inusualmente baja últimamente.

Where you'll see it

chartmedical recordemergency noteintake form

Related ICD-10-CM category

R00 Abnormalities of heart beat

Related terms

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026