What is the medical term for a slow heart rate?

A slow heart rate is referred to as bradycardia. The term bradycardia specifically describes a condition where the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute, which is lower than the normal resting heart rate for adults. This can occur due to various reasons, including increased vagal tone, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions that affect the heart's electrical system.

Understanding bradycardia is essential in the context of heart health because it can indicate how well the heart is functioning and whether it is pumping blood effectively. In some individuals, a slow heart rate may be completely normal, particularly in well-trained athletes. However, in other cases, it may require treatment if it leads to symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or fainting.

The other terms listed in the choices refer to different cardiac conditions. For example, tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate, while arrhythmia represents a broader category of irregular heart rhythms. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size, shape, and ability to pump blood efficiently. These terms are related to heart function but do not specifically denote a slow heart rate like bradycardia does.