What term describes an abnormally slow heart rate?

What term describes an abnormally slow heart rate?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Emesis
• C. Cardiac catheterization
• D. Gastroduodenostomy

Answer: (A)

Bradycardia describes a heart rate that is slower than normal. The prefix “brady-” means slow, and “cardia” refers to the heart. When these are combined, they name an abnormally slow heart rate, usually defined as below about 60 beats per minute in adults. This contrasts with tachycardia, which means a fast heart rate. For context, some people such as well-trained athletes or individuals during sleep may have lower resting rates without issue, but symptoms like dizziness or fatigue can occur if the rate remains too slow. The other terms refer to different concepts: emesis is vomiting; cardiac catheterization is a procedure to study the heart’s vessels; gastroduodenostomy is a surgical connection between the stomach and the duodenum.

Bradycardia describes a heart rate that is slower than normal. The prefix “brady-” means slow, and “cardia” refers to the heart. When these are combined, they name an abnormally slow heart rate, usually defined as below about 60 beats per minute in adults. This contrasts with tachycardia, which means a fast heart rate. For context, some people such as well-trained athletes or individuals during sleep may have lower resting rates without issue, but symptoms like dizziness or fatigue can occur if the rate remains too slow. The other terms refer to different concepts: emesis is vomiting; cardiac catheterization is a procedure to study the heart’s vessels; gastroduodenostomy is a surgical connection between the stomach and the duodenum.