Bradycardia is defined as which of the following?

Bradycardia is defined as which of the following?

• A. Heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm
• B. Heart rate less than 60 bpm
• C. Heart rate greater than 100 bpm
• D. Blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg

Answer: (B)

Bradycardia is a slow heart rate. In adults, a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is considered bradycardia. The normal resting range is about 60–100 bpm, so anything under 60 is the defining idea. The other descriptions refer to different things: 60–100 bpm is normal, not bradycardia; more than 100 bpm is tachycardia (fast heart rate); and blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg is hypotension, which is about blood pressure, not heart rate.

Bradycardia is a slow heart rate. In adults, a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is considered bradycardia. The normal resting range is about 60–100 bpm, so anything under 60 is the defining idea.

The other descriptions refer to different things: 60–100 bpm is normal, not bradycardia; more than 100 bpm is tachycardia (fast heart rate); and blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg is hypotension, which is about blood pressure, not heart rate.