What does bradycardia refer to?

Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, typically defined as a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. In this context, the term "brady-" means slow, which directly correlates to the concept of a heart rate that is slower than the normal range. Understanding bradycardia is important in medical settings as it can indicate underlying health issues, affecting how the heart pumps blood and circulates it through the body. In contrast, the other choices describe different conditions: a fast heartbeat indicates tachycardia; a normal heart rate reflects a typical resting rate; and an irregular heart rate suggests arrhythmia, which are not consistent with the definition of bradycardia.