What does tachycardia mean?

What does tachycardia mean?

• A. Rapid pulse rate
• B. Slow pulse rate
• C. Irregular rhythm
• D. Normal pulse rate

Answer: (A)

Tachycardia means a heart rate that is faster than normal at rest. The key idea is rate, not rhythm. For adults, a resting heart rate above about 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia. It can occur with normal physiologic states like exercise or fever, or with medical conditions such as dehydration, anemia, hyperthyroidism, or heart problems. The other options describe a slow rate, an irregular rhythm, or a normal rate, which do not define tachycardia. So the best description is a rapid pulse rate.

Tachycardia means a heart rate that is faster than normal at rest. The key idea is rate, not rhythm. For adults, a resting heart rate above about 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia. It can occur with normal physiologic states like exercise or fever, or with medical conditions such as dehydration, anemia, hyperthyroidism, or heart problems. The other options describe a slow rate, an irregular rhythm, or a normal rate, which do not define tachycardia. So the best description is a rapid pulse rate.