Slow heart rate

Slow heart rate

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Hypotension
• D. Bradycardia

Answer: (D)

Slow heart rate is described as bradycardia. In adults, a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is bradycardia, which is the label used when the rate is slower than normal. This distinguishes from tachycardia, which is a fast rate, and from hypotension, which is low blood pressure and not a rate term. Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm in general, which can be slow, fast, or irregular, but it doesn’t specifically name the rate. Bradycardia can be a normal finding in well-trained athletes or during sleep, but it becomes clinically significant when it causes symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or fainting due to reduced cardiac output. The underlying causes are often related to the sinus node or conduction system, such as sinus node dysfunction or heart block, and treatment depends on symptoms and the cause.

Slow heart rate is described as bradycardia. In adults, a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is bradycardia, which is the label used when the rate is slower than normal. This distinguishes from tachycardia, which is a fast rate, and from hypotension, which is low blood pressure and not a rate term. Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm in general, which can be slow, fast, or irregular, but it doesn’t specifically name the rate. Bradycardia can be a normal finding in well-trained athletes or during sleep, but it becomes clinically significant when it causes symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or fainting due to reduced cardiac output. The underlying causes are often related to the sinus node or conduction system, such as sinus node dysfunction or heart block, and treatment depends on symptoms and the cause.