What is bradycardia?

Bradycardia refers specifically to a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as a resting heart rate that is below 60 beats per minute in adults. It can be a normal response in well-trained athletes or during sleep, but it can also indicate underlying health issues if it occurs unexpectedly or is accompanied by symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. Understanding this condition is crucial for medical professionals, including scribes, as it provides important context for patient assessments and potential interventions. The other options describe different cardiac conditions, where fast heart rate signifies tachycardia, an irregular heartbeat may point to arrhythmias, and a normal heart rhythm is simply the expected physiological state of the heart, making it distinct from bradycardia.