Diagnosis

How is bradycardia diagnosed?

To diagnose bradycardia, your doctor will typically use an electrocardiogram (ECG) test. This is a painless test using electrode patches on your skin that shows how electrical signals travel through your heart. An ECG can be printed out on paper. Your doctor can tell what kind of rhythm you have by looking at the printed pattern of your heartbeat.
To support the diagnosis of bradycardia, sometimes a so-called Holter monitor is used to store 24 hours of your ECG. In this case you are asked to wear a portable recorder for 24 hours after which your heart rhythm can be analyzed by your doctor. Also you might be asked to perform an exercise test.
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