What does the term "tachycardia" refer to?

Tachycardia specifically refers to an abnormally fast heart rate, typically defined as a resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute in adults. This condition can result from various factors, such as stress, fever, anemia, or heart-related issues. Understanding tachycardia is essential because it may indicate underlying health problems that require further investigation or intervention.

In contrast, the other options represent different cardiac conditions or states. An abnormally slow heart rate is known as bradycardia, while a normal heart rate falls within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute. An irregular heart rhythm is referred to as arrhythmia, which encompasses a variety of heart rhythm disorders, including both tachycardia and bradycardia. Thus, recognizing tachycardia as a condition of an accelerated heart rate highlights its significance in assessing cardiovascular health.