bradycardia

bradycardia /brady·car·dia/ (-kahr´de-ah) slowness of the heartbeat, as evidenced by slowing of the pulse rate to less than 60.bradycar´diac

---

brad·y·car·di·a (brd-kärd-)

n.

A slowness of the heartbeat, usually under 60 beats per minute in adults. Also called brachycardia.

---

brady·cardic (-dk), brady·cardi·ac (-d-k) adj.

---

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate. Bradycardia is one of the two types of arrhythmia

Mentioned in: Arrhythmias, Electrophysiology Study of the Heart, Heart Block, Sick Sinus Syndrome

---

bradycardia

[-kär′dē·ə]

Etymology: Gk, bradys, slow, kardia, heart

a condition in which the heart rate is less than 60/min. Bradycardia takes the form of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, and second- or third-degree atrioventricular block. Sinus bradycardia may be caused by excessive vagal tone, decreased sympathetic tone, or anatomic changes. It is common in athletes and is relatively benign. It may even be beneficial in acute myocardial infarction (especially inferior). Pathologic bradycardia may be symptomatic of a brain tumor, digitalis toxicity, heart block, or vagotonus. Cardiac output is decreased, causing faintness, dizziness, chest pain, and eventually syncope and circulatory collapse. Treatment may include administration of atropine, implantation of a pacemaker, or change in medical treatment. Also called brachycardia.

---

bradycardia (brā·dē·karˑ·dē·),

n a heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute.

---

bradycardia (brad´ikär´dē),

n an abnormal slowness of the heart as evidenced by a slowing of the pulse rate (less than 50 beats per minute).

---

bradycardia

slowness of the heartbeat, in dogs and cats to less than 60 beats per minute.

---

sinus bradycardia

a slow sinus rhythm, characterized by normal electrocardiographic complexes in a normal rhythm or a sinus arrhythmia. A normal finding, most commonly seen in large breeds of dogs or athletic animals.

Sinus bradycardia in a dog. By permission from Ettinger SJ, Feldman E, Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Saunders, 2004

bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome

see sick sinus syndrome.

---

bradycardia

Cardiology Slow heart rate; commonly defined as a rate < 60 bpm or a rate that is too slow to be physiologically appropriate for the person and/or activity; alternatively< 45 beats/min in ♂; <50 beats/min in ♀Clinical Sx may be specific–syncope, or nonspecific–dizziness, fatigue, weakness, heart failure Management Beta blockers–pindolol, pacemaker. See Cardiac output.

---

Patient discussion about bradycardia.

Q. What is considered a slow heartbeat? I am a 30 year old woman and I went for a routine checkup at my Doctor's. He checked my pulse and it was 52 beats per minute. Is this considered slow? All my family members have a faster beat of 65- 90 beats per minute. If it is slow, is it bad?

A. A slow heartbeat is called bradycardia and is defined as a heart rate that is slower than healthy levels. In most adults, the heart beats at least 60 times per minute. This normal heartbeat range is usually 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults, slightly faster in children, and somewhat slower in trained athletes. If you tend to workout a lot and are physically fit then this is probably a healthy pulse. When the heart beats lower than the healthy range, the body may not get all the blood it needs to work correctly but only a profesional can determine if this is the case.

Q. SVT and AF, Hearts that go fast to slow or any others probs with the beats of any kind and Ablation of hearts I have had Ablation done once and I am still having passing out spells and still on 50mg toprol 2 times a day till two days ago, now I am on 150 to 200 aday again. Its not the first time I have had to up meds. I had ablation down 4/22/05. I can breath better now but but it didnt take it away as you can tell. Now Dr Leonardie would like to do it again . This is the big ????! Will it or can it work 100% this time, or will it hit and miss some again???? MTT

A. Well I can understand the frustration of having to go through this procedure yet another time. There are no guarantees in medicine. You should follow your doctor's advice, as another proceudre might be more helpful than the last one. However you should keep in mind that nothing is for sure.