Final answer:
Bradycardia can be associated with both right and left ventricular MIs, but it is more commonly linked to right-sided MIs due to the potential impact on the SA node when the right coronary artery is compromised, leading to a slower heart rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, can be associated with both right and left ventricular myocardial infarctions (MIs), although it is more commonly seen with right-sided MIs. This is because the right ventricle is supplied by the right coronary artery which, when occluded, can also affect the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's natural pacemaker. When the SA node is affected, it can result in a decreased heart rate. Additionally the AV node can also be affected by inferior myocardial infarction leading to bradycardia.
Content loaded regarding the physiology of the heart indicates that the right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium, and pumps it through the lungs, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. Conditions like myocardial infarction can result in impaired heart muscle function, potentially triggering bradycardia due to disrupted electrical signaling pathways namely the SA and AV nodes, or bundle branches.