Which term is used to describe a slow heart rate?

Bradycardia is the term specifically used to describe a slow heart rate, typically defined as a heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute in adults. It can occur in healthy individuals, especially athletes, as a physiological adaptation to regular intense training. In other contexts, bradycardia can be indicative of underlying health issues, such as heart block or issues with the conduction system of the heart, necessitating further evaluation.

The terms tachycardia, arrhythmia, and normocardia refer to different heart rate conditions. Tachycardia indicates a rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, whereas arrhythmia describes any irregular heartbeat, regardless of the speed. Normocardia refers to a normal heart rate range, typically between 60-100 beats per minute. Understanding these distinctions is important in accurately assessing cardiac health.