Bradycardia is traditionally defined as a heart rate of less than 60 bpm or a heart rate of less than 50 bpm.
Occurs in 0.4% of patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Bradycardia often found in athletic subjects and is typically asymptomatic.
Bradycardia particularly among the elderly may be associated with fatigue or o syncope and may require pacemaker implantation.
Asymptomatic bradycardia is not harmful in most adults.
Inpatients taking heart rate modifying medications heart rate below 50 bpm is associated with an increased risk of mortality compared with a heart rate of above 50 bpm.