What term describes decreased movement of the heart muscle during each heartbeat?

The term that describes decreased movement of the heart muscle during each heartbeat is hypokinesia. This term specifically refers to a reduction in the amplitude of contraction of the heart muscle. In a clinical context, hypokinesia can indicate underlying issues such as ischemic heart disease or the presence of myocardial infarction, where the heart muscle does not contract as forcefully as it should, leading to a lower volume of blood being pumped with each beat.

Understanding hypokinesia is important for interpreting various cardiac assessments, such as echocardiography, where the motion of the heart walls is evaluated. This condition contrasts with hyperkinesis, which indicates excessive movement of the heart muscle. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, while tachycardia indicates a heart rate that is faster than normal. Neither of these terms addresses the contraction strength or movement of the heart muscle itself.