What is the term for a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute?

Bradycardia is the correct term used to describe a heart rate that is slower than normal, specifically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. This condition can occur for various reasons, including increased vagal tone, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions. In many cases, bradycardia may not cause any symptoms, and some athletes may naturally have a lower resting heart rate due to higher cardiovascular efficiency.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. "Hypercardia" is not a commonly used medical term but could be interpreted as an excessive heart rate, which contradicts the definition of bradycardia. "Hypocardia" is also not a standard medical term and would not be used to denote a specific heart rate condition. "Tachycardia," on the other hand, refers to an increased heart rate, specifically more than 100 beats per minute, making it unrelated to bradycardia. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing and responding appropriately to variations in heart rate during patient care.