Final answer:
Symptomatic bradycardia occurs when a heart rate is below 60 bpm accompanied by symptoms that suggest inadequate oxygenated blood flow to tissues, potentially requiring medical intervention such as a pacemaker.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptomatic bradycardia exists when a patient's heart rate (HR) is below 60 beats per minute (bpm) and is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, palpitations, or respiratory distress. These symptoms indicate that the heart may not be pumping a sufficient amount of oxygenated blood to the body's tissues. The term relative bradycardia may be used when a patient has an HR within the normal range but presents with these symptoms. While many patients with an HR above 50 bpm remain asymptomatic, if symptomatic bradycardia is present, the condition can be serious and may warrant interventions such as a pacemaker or supplemental oxygen, depending on the underlying cause.