brachycardia

brach·y·car·di·a (brk-kärd-)

n.

See bradycardia.

---

brachycardia.

See bradycardia.

---

bradycardia [brad″e-kahr´de-ah]

slowness of the heartbeat, so that the pulse rate is less than 60 per minute. This can occur in normal persons, particularly during sleep; trained athletes also usually have slow pulse and heart rates. adj., adj bradycar´diac.

fetal bradycardia a fetal heart rate of less than 120 beats per minute, generally associated with hypoxia; it is usually due to placental insufficiency; it may also result from transfer of local anesthetics or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, and rarely to heart block associated with congenital heart disease or maternal collagen vascular disease.

nodal bradycardia bradycardia in which the stimulus of the heart's contraction arises in the atrioventricular node or common bundle.

sinoatrial bradycardia (sinus bradycardia) a slow sinus rhythm, with a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute in an adult; it is common in young adults and in athletes but is also a manifestation of some disorders.

bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome any cardiac dysrhythmia characterized by alternating slow and fast heart rates, often resulting in hemodynamic compromise. See also sick sinus syndrome.

---

brachycardia

see bradycardia.

---

Patient discussion about brachycardia.

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.