Which term refers to a slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Rhinorrhea
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Epistaxis

Answer: (C)

The term that refers to a slow heart rate, typically characterized by a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, is bradycardia. This condition can occur in various situations including during sleep, as a response to certain medications, or in athletes who have a well-trained cardiovascular system.

Understanding the components of the term helps clarify its meaning: "brady-" is a prefix that indicates slowness, while "-cardia" pertains to the heart. This straightforward breakdown helps in recognizing that the term specifically addresses a decreased heart rate condition.

In contrast, tachycardia refers to an increased heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute, which is the opposite of bradycardia. Rhinorrhea is a term describing a condition of a runny nose, and epistaxis refers to nosebleeds. Knowing these definitions further emphasizes why bradycardia is the correct term to identify a slow heart rate.