Bradycardia indicates a pulse of:

• A. More than 100 beats per minute
• B. Fewer than 60 beats per minute
• C. Greater than 90 beats per minute
• D. Less than 50 beats per minute

Answer: (B)

Bradycardia means a heart rate that is slower than normal. For adults, normal resting heart rate is typically about 60 to 100 beats per minute. When the pulse falls below 60, that is defined as bradycardia. That’s why the correct choice is fewer than 60 beats per minute. Keep in mind that some well-trained athletes may have resting rates below 60 without symptoms, but bradycardia can be a concern if it causes dizziness, fatigue, or fainting, or if it’s due to medications or heart conduction problems. An option describing more than 100 beats per minute represents tachycardia, not bradycardia, and an option of less than 50 beats per minute is also bradycardia but reflects a more severe slowing; the standard teaching uses below 60 as the cutoff.