EKG Dictionary
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Rate, rhythm & mechanisms

Bradycardia

Also calledbradyarrhythmia · slow heart rate · brady

Definition

A ventricular (heart) rate in an adult below 60 bpm by the traditional definition; the 2018 ACC/AHA/HRS bradycardia guideline uses below 50 bpm. It is a rate descriptor rather than a specific diagnosis and may reflect sinus bradycardia, a junctional or ventricular escape rhythm, or AV conduction block, so the underlying rhythm is identified separately.

Source

  1. Kusumoto FM, Schoenfeld MH, Barrett C, et al. 2018 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline on the evaluation and management of patients with bradycardia and cardiac conduction delay. Circulation. 2019;140(8):e382-e482. doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000628

Last reviewed 2 October 2026. Every definition in the EKG Dictionary cites the guideline, consensus statement or original paper it comes from.

More in Rate, rhythm & mechanisms

Aberrant conduction Ashman phenomenon Asystole Automaticity AV dissociation Capture beat Compensatory pause Ectopic beat Escape beat Fusion beat Heart rate Irregularly irregular rhythm Normal sinus rhythm Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) Reentry Regular rhythm Regularly irregular rhythm Sinus arrhythmia Tachycardia

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