Which term refers to the slow heart rate in medical terminology?

Bradycardia refers specifically to a slow heart rate, typically defined as a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. This condition can occur for various reasons, including increased vagal tone, medication effects, or intrinsic heart conditions. When the heart beats slower than normal, it can lead to insufficient blood flow to the body, which may manifest as symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or fainting. Understanding this term is crucial in the medical field as it often requires monitoring and, in some cases, intervention if the slow heart rate is associated with significant symptoms or underlying problems.

In contrast, tachycardia indicates a fast heart rate, arrhythmia refers to any irregularity in heart rhythm, and cardiomyopathy describes a disease of the heart muscle that can affect its size, shape, or thickness. Each of these terms is distinct and highlights different aspects of cardiac function.