What does the term "tachycardia" refer to?

The term "tachycardia" refers specifically to an abnormally fast heart rate, generally defined as a resting heart rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute. This condition can be a response to various factors, including stress, anxiety, fever, or underlying health issues such as anemia or heart disease. Understanding tachycardia is crucial in the medical field because recognizing the signs and symptoms can lead to timely interventions and management of potential underlying causes.

In contrast, other terms describe different heart conditions: bradycardia refers to an abnormally slow heart rate, a normal heart rate falls within the typical resting range (60-100 beats per minute), and an irregular heartbeat can be indicative of arrhythmias, which are distinct from the concept of tachycardia. Therefore, the definition of tachycardia is specific and indicates a rapid heart rate rather than normal or slow heart rhythms.