(brād‵i-kard'ē-ă, brad‵ )

[brady- + -cardia]

A slow heartbeat marked by a pulse rate below 60 beats per minute in an adult.

athletic b.Athlete's heart.

fetal b.Persistent fetal heart rate slower than 110 beats per minute.

relative b.A heart rate that is too slow for a person's immediate physiological needs, although it may be more than 60 beats per minute. Heart rates are said to be relatively slow when they do not allow adequate circulation of blood to the brain, coronary arteries, or other vital organs.

sinus b.A slow sinus rhythm with an atrial rate below 60 beats per minute in an adult or 70 beats per minute in a child.