Final answer:
The medical term for a heart rhythm disorder characterized by a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute is bradycardia. It is significant when symptoms are present and can be caused by both inherent heart conditions and external factors, with treatments varying accordingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for an arrhythmia in which the heart beats abnormally slowly (fewer than 60 beats per minute in a resting adult) is bradycardia.Bradycardia is not always clinically significant unless accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or palpitations. Athletes may naturally have a lower heart rate, but for non-athletic individuals, it can indicate that the heart is not adequately supplying oxygenated blood to the body.
Causes of bradycardia can range from issues within the heart such as SA or AV node problems to external factors like metabolic disorders or the effects of certain medications. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include a pacemaker if the condition is serious or supplemental oxygen for less critical cases.