Word parts
What it means
A slow heartbeat. Healthy athletes and people asleep can have a slow rate without any problem. It can also come from heart disease, low body temperature, some drugs (such as beta blockers and digoxindih-JOK-sinA drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.Full entry ) or pressure in the skull. When the heart is too slow to move enough blood, the client may feel dizzy, weak or faint. Normal rates are higher in children, so the cutoff depends on age.
For the nurse
Count the apical pulse for a full minute and check blood pressure, level of consciousness and how the client feels. Check whether a heart-slowing drug is due; many have hold rules for a slow pulse. Report a new slow rate, especially with dizziness, low blood pressure, chest pain or confusion.
In a chart
"Apical pulse 48; client denies dizziness; metoprolol held, provider notified."
Remember it
Brady is slow, like a brake.
At a glance
| Spanish | bradicardia |
|---|---|
| Also written | bradycardic, bradycardias |
Easy to confuse with
tachycardia
A heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.
Related terms
digoxin
A drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.
tachycardia
A heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.
heart rate
How many times the heart beats per minute.
arrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.