Bradycardia Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance for getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for bradycardia include the following:

• Advancing age
• Hypothyroidism
• Drugs such as (most commonly used for):
  • Clonidine and other centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonists ( High Blood Pressure )
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors ( Alzheimer's Disease )
  • Calcium antagonists (high blood pressure, heart disease)
  • Digitalis and other cardiac glycosides (heart failure and Arrhythmias )
  • Lithium
  • Beta-blockers (high blood pressure, heart disease), also used in some eye drops
• Exposure to certain toxins
• Cardiac disease, such as:
  • Heart Attack
  • Degeneration, calcification, or “wearing out” of the conduction system
  • Heart Failure
  • Valvular failure
  • Heart conditions that are inherited or present at birth (congenital heart defects)
• Electrolyte imbalances (high or low potassium levels)
• Sleep Apnea
• Rarely seen with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or other collagen vascular diseases
• Head injuries
• Hypothermia
• Hypoglycemia
• Infectious diseases, such as:
  • Diphtheria
  • Rheumatic Fever
  • Viral myocarditis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Chagas disease