What does a slow heart rate refer to in medical terms?

A slow heart rate is referred to as bradycardia in medical terminology. Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute in adults. This condition can occur due to various physiological reasons, such as enhanced vagal tone or as a result of increased fitness levels, especially in athletes. In some cases, bradycardia may indicate underlying medical conditions that require attention, such as heart block or the effects of certain medications.

Understanding bradycardia is crucial for recognizing its implications in clinical settings, as it can lead to inadequate blood flow and symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or fainting if the heart rate becomes too slow. This condition is distinct from tachycardia, which refers to a fast heart rate, and arrhythmias, which encompass a variety of irregular heart rhythms, some of which may be rapid or slow. Normocardic is not a commonly used term in clinical practice; rather, the standard term for a normal resting heart rate is simply "normal heart rate," typically defined as ranging from 60 to 100 beats per minute.