What term describes a condition where electrical impulses to the heart are delayed or interrupted?

The term that describes a condition where electrical impulses to the heart are delayed or interrupted is heart block. This condition occurs when the electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat are obstructed at various points along the conduction pathway in the heart, which can lead to a slowed or irregular heartbeat. Heart block can vary in severity; for example, it can be categorized as first, second, or third-degree block, depending on the extent of the delay or interruption.

Understanding heart block is crucial because it can result in symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or fainting, and in severe cases, it may require medical intervention like the placement of a pacemaker. The other options—heart failure, heart murmur, and high blood pressure—refer to different cardiovascular issues that do not specifically involve the interruption of electrical impulses in this manner. Heart failure relates to the heart's inability to pump effectively, heart murmur involves abnormal heart sounds due to turbulent blood flow, and high blood pressure pertains to the force of blood against artery walls.