Bradycardia

Treatment

The goal of bradycardia treatment is to restore the heart to normal rhythm. In most cases, treatment options for patients involve:

• Pacemakers
• Follow-up care

Pacemakers

A pacemaker helps regulate the heartbeat. The device, smaller than a matchbox, is placed under the skin near the collarbone. A wire extends from the device to the heart. If a pacemaker detects a heart rate that is too slow or that the heart is not beating, it emits electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to speed up or start beating again.

Follow-up care

Many patients have benefited from the Mayo Clinic's cardiac rehabilitation program while recovering from heart surgery or having medical heart devices implanted. The program starts with a walking schedule for the first six to eight weeks after surgery and progresses to more vigorous, supervised physical training.

Mayo Clinic also provides long-term care for patients with pacemakers to monitor and make adjustments, as necessary, to the medical devices.