What is tachycardia?

Tachycardia refers to a faster than normal heart rate, specifically defined as a pulse that exceeds 100 beats per minute. This condition can result from various factors, including physical exertion, stress, dehydration, fever, or underlying medical conditions. Understanding tachycardia is critical because a rapid heart rate can indicate the heart is working harder than usual, which may lead to complications if not managed properly.

The other options describe different heart rate conditions that do not align with the definition of tachycardia. A pulse below 60 beats per minute is considered bradycardia, which is the opposite of tachycardia. A normal resting heart rate falls within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute, indicating a healthy heart rhythm rather than an abnormal condition. An irregular pulse rhythm refers to arrhythmia, which signifies a disruption in the regular heartbeat pattern rather than specifically a measure of heart rate speed. Thus, tachycardia distinctly denotes a rapid pulse exceeding 100 beats per minute.