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The combining form -cardia is used like a suffix to mean “abnormal heart condition.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology.

The form -cardium ultimately comes from Greek �첹����í��, meaning “heart.” The Latin cognate, cor, “heart,” is the source of words such as cordial, courage, and discord. To learn more, check out our entries for each word.

What are variants of -cardia?

While -cardia doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the form -cardium, as in myocardium. Want to know more? Read our �������t¶��s That Use article for .

Also closely related to -cardia and -cardium are cardio- and cardi-, combined to beginning of words like a prefix and meaning “heart.” Read our �������t¶��s That Use articles on these forms to learn more.

One example of a medical term that features the form -cardia is bradycardia, or brachycardia, meaning “a slow heartbeat rate, usually less than 60 beats per minute.”

The form brady- means “slow,” from Greek ��������ý��. The combining form -cardia means “abnormal heart condition.” Bradycardia literally translates to “abnormally slow heart condition.”

What are some words that use the combining form -cardia?

• acardia
• ectocardia
• exocardia
• megalocardia
• tachycardia

What are some other forms that -cardia may be commonly confused with?

• -carpous
• -cracy
• -crat

The combining form tachy- means “swift” or “rapid.” With this in mind, what is the medical condition tachycardia?