What rate defines bradycardia?

• A. 55 BPM or Lower
• B. 65 BPM or Lower
• C. 60 BPM or Lower
• D. 50 BPM or Lower

Answer: (C)

Bradycardia is a slower-than-normal heart rate. In adults, the usual cutoff used in clinical practice is a resting heart rate of sixty beats per minute or slower. That’s why the option describing sixty or lower best fits the definition: it matches the standard threshold used to label a heart rate as bradycardic.

Keep in mind that well-trained athletes can have resting rates near or below sixty without any problem, due to higher vagal tone and efficient cardiac function. A rate above sixty isn’t considered bradycardia by definition, while rates well below sixty are bradycardic and may warrant further evaluation if symptoms or signs of poor perfusion appear.