My 85 year old mom went to the hospital because of a low heart rate

Will someone give her a referral to a cardiologist? Perhaps, she can be evaluated for a Pace maker.

I have a similar problem except that GI pressure causes atrial fibrillation. I also burp and simethicone (Gas X) sometimes helps. I never eat too much at one time, never eat after 5 or 6, never lie down right after eating , take Tums at night and so on. Cardiologists aren't that interested in any of this and I don't see a GI doc! Heart rate of 50 isn't that bad- I would think not low enough for pacemaker based on a friend with heart rate of 30 at times, but your doctor knows best.

My husband often had a low blood pressure; around 70. When that happened he drank Gatorade and his blood pressure would go back up to 120 where it was supposed to be. I think it is because Gatorade balances your electrolytes which is important. It also takes away that "faint" feeling. Also your mom may be low on sugar. Sugar is a natural product. We all need a certain amount. They are taking real sugar out of everything these days and substituting a phony man-made product. I notice that when I eat foods with real sugar in them, I feel better.
Prayers also help! I will say a prayer for your mom.
PML

Melissa123, I am no dr., so these comments are just my thoughts. First, congratulations to your 85 yr old mom, you don't mention other major problems, if this is correct, then she should pat herself on the back, cuz she has been doing it all great.
With her HR@50, what was her blood pressure?
Can you look at any prior BP and HR #'s, since every dr. visit these are done. Make a table of the results, with dates and if she was at the dr. that time, was it a critical visit or something like a bad cold.
Then start having her take both BP and HR, every day, at the same time. Note if any other issues are present.
My husband, 80 yrs, has high BP (takes meds) and his avg resting HR has been 50-60, all this time. His dr. made him do this daily routine for a long time, eventually his records showed he was doing well and his BP meds were lowered.
I, am the opposite, and have been most of my life. I have lower BP with higher resting HR. My HR was 80+- , when I was in my 30's. I have been lightheaded for so many years, I am used to getting up slowly, getting out of the car slowly. BUT, I'm not saying this is not a big deal... BECAUSE it is. Your mom's lightheadedness would be on the top of my list to make adjustments, now, for it. Falling is one of the most important and common factors , that is commonly dismissed by all of us. My lightheartedness is much worse now. I have had several falls and only a fractured shin. Whereas my dad's first fall ended with a fractured hip and that was only the first one, it altered his life significantly...but he was a very stubborn, former athlete, who would not use a cane or anything.
Another reason to track her #'s, is if, like I started doing about 3 yrs ago, BP and HR began being extremely erratic. But I have several health problems that are all mixed up. It is the erratic part, if she does, that she should push to get noticed. It may be nothing,or it might be something.
The hiatal hernia: my husband has one, I have one, so far Dr.s say leave it alone if it doesn't cause big problems and pain. Somewhere in this group, there is comments about surgery for this. A few had no big problems before but they had the surgery and no problems. Others have horror stories about their surgeries. Check them out.
The replies to eat small amounts is very wise. Also drink slowly. I have learned that as our bodies get older, the parts are simply wearing out. Example, the emptying process of the stomach, the intestines small then the large one (colon) slows down. So, we have to adjust. My excuse for nibbling all day.
In general, lower BP will cause higher HR....
higher BP can be associated with lower HR.
The two work together in our heart. If one is lower, then the other one kicks it up a notch.
WOW, I get long winded about wanting to share my experience, so someone else might have a better life.
I should have started with, your mom's lightheadedness, seems so not very important, but it is ‼️‼️Get her a lovely looking cane or two, get her some lovely flatter shoes that have at least an ankle strap.(really not having anything around the ankle is a huge no no)., and have non-slip soles. Socks, should have non-slip soles, if she prefers them to shoes, in the house. You two are lucky to have each other, I miss my mom and dad so much.

So sorry for you and your mom going through this. I have had low heart rate and been hospitalized for it several times. I’m 58 now. I was finally diagnosed with dysautonomia about 5 months ago. By a hospital er Dr. I now have a neurologist and take something called Midodrine 2.5 mgs three times daily sometimes four. I too had dizziness and feeling faint. I still get dizzy but not as badly. Also I had to increase my water and salt intake. It has helped me a lot! Good luck with your mom. Something to think about for her. 😊

I just saw a specialist (the kind that put in pacemakers). He said that they don’t treat bradycardia (low heart rate) with a pacemaker or anything unless your heart rate is down in the 30’s or 20’s. Mine is usually in the 50’s, sometimes 40’s. I would have your Mom do a complete work up at a cardiologist just to be safe. Ask for them to monitor her heart for a week. There are little portable devices that they attach to your body. ♥️