Which heart condition is characterized by a slow heart rate?

Bradycardia is defined as a slower than normal heart rate, typically considered to be less than 60 beats per minute in adults. This condition can result from various factors, including increased vagal tone, certain medications, or problems with the heart's electrical conduction system. It is important to recognize bradycardia since it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or fainting if the heart rate drops too low, impacting the body’s ability to adequately perfuse organs with blood.

Arrhythmia, though a broad term referring to any irregular heartbeat, does not specifically denote a slow heart rate. Tachycardia refers to an elevated heart rate, which is the opposite of bradycardia. Atrial fibrillation is a specific type of arrhythmia characterized by irregular and often rapid heart rhythm, leading to poor blood flow. Each of these other conditions highlights different aspects of heart rhythm but does not define the characteristic of having a slow heart rate as bradycardia does.