Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate of less than what value?

Bradycardia is typically defined as a slower than normal heart rate, specifically when the heart beats fewer than 60 times per minute (bpm). In adults, a resting heart rate less than 60 bpm is generally categorized as bradycardia. The choice of 40 bpm is often referenced in clinical contexts, as it may be critical for diagnosing significant bradycardia that requires medical intervention.

While the choices present various values, the threshold of 60 bpm is widely accepted in both clinical practice and educational resources as the overall cutoff for bradycardia, helping to differentiate it from normal heart rhythm and indicating when further evaluation may be needed.

The choice of 50 bpm is somewhat arbitrary and not standard as a definition. The same is true for 30 bpm; while it is lower than normal, defining bradycardia at this level may suggest severe cases rather than the general classification. In summary, bradycardia is defined with the cutoff primarily at 60 bpm, with more severe implications as the heart rate decreases further.