What rate classifies as bradycardia in an adult?

Bradycardia is defined as a slower than normal heart rate in adults, specifically recognized when the resting heart rate is below 60 beats per minute. This classification is important in clinical settings as bradycardia can be a sign of underlying health issues, including heart block, hypothyroidism, or the effects of certain medications.

While rates above 100 beats per minute indicate tachycardia and rates between 60 to 80 beats per minute are considered within the normal range, a heart rate below 60 signifies bradycardia. A rate of exactly 50 beats per minute, although below 60, is just a specific example of bradycardia rather than its defining criterion. Thus, the threshold of under 60 beats per minute encompasses all instances of bradycardia, making this classification essential for understanding heart rate dynamics in adults.