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Leading cardiology experts at Aster Medcity, Kochi, highlighted the burden of Bradycardia, an often overlooked and underdiagnosed cardiac rhythm disorder, along with challenges in diagnosis, access to care, and recent advancements in pacing therapies. Bradycardia, defined as a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute, is estimated to affect 1 in every 1000 individuals, with a higher prevalence in those aged 65 and above.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Anil Kumar R, lead senior consultant, Aster Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Aster Medcity, Kochi, stated, “Bradycardia arises from abnormalities in the heart’s electrical system, reducing blood flow to vital organs. Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, and fainting are often subtle and non-specific, which is why many patients present only after serious events like syncope or falls. Delayed diagnosis due to limited awareness further adds to the burden. Early recognition, timely intervention, and advances in pacing therapies including leadless pacemakers for carefully selected individuals are essential to reducing complications and improving overall patient recovery.”
Dr. Praveen Sreekumar, senior consultant & director, Heart Rhythm Centre, Aster Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Kochi said, “Advancements in pacing technologies, including leadless pacemakers, are helping reduce procedural complications and enabling faster recovery. For carefully selected patients, these innovations support improved clinical stability and quality of life. Pacemaker therapy remains the only established and guideline-recommended treatment for symptomatic bradycardia; however, access continues to be uneven. India has approximately 0.6 pacing centres per million population and around 17 pacemaker implants per million significantly lower than Western Europe and the United States highlighting persistent gaps in infrastructure, specialist availability, and patient awareness.”
Dr. Sandeep R, senior consultant, Aster Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Aster Medcity, Kochi added, “Advanced age remains the strongest risk factor for bradycardia, with nearly 75–80% of pacemaker implants occurring in individuals above 65 years. Other contributors include underlying heart disease, prior myocardial infarction, heart failure, valvular disorders, electrolyte imbalances, hypothyroidism, infections, and certain medications making timely evaluation essential. For eligible patients, advances in pacing therapies, including leadless pacemakers, are expanding treatment options and enhancing procedural safety and recovery.”
Experts further emphasised the importance of patient education and awareness in promoting early consultation and timely diagnosis. The workshop provided a platform for dialogue between cardiologists and journalists, highlighting the need for greater awareness of bradycardia and its advanced treatment amidst the rising cardiovascular disease burden in India.
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