What does bradycardia indicate?

Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. This condition can arise from various factors, such as increased vagal tone, certain medications, or underlying heart conditions. Understanding bradycardia is essential for healthcare providers, as it may indicate various physiological changes or pathological states, particularly in the context of anesthesia and critical care, where it could affect a patient's hemodynamic stability.

The other options describe different cardiac conditions; a fast heart rate, or tachycardia, is the condition where heart rates exceed 100 beats per minute, highlighting a separate clinical concern. A normal heart rate falls between 60 to 100 beats per minute, representing healthy cardiac function in most adults, and an irregular heart rhythm reflects arrhythmias, which can occur independently of the heart rate being slow or fast. Thus, focusing on the definition of bradycardia emphasizes its specific implications for patient management and care.