What does tachycardia mean?

• A. A fast heart rate.
• B. A slow heart rate.
• C. A normal heart rate.
• D. An irregular heartbeat.

Answer: (B)

Tachycardia means a fast heart rate. The word comes from tachy- meaning fast and cardi- meaning heart, so it describes the heart beating more quickly than normal. In adults, a resting rate above about 100 beats per minute is typically considered tachycardia. It can be normal during exercise, fever, anxiety, or dehydration, but it can also signal conditions affecting the heart or other systems, such as anemia, hyperthyroidism, or arrhythmias. For contrast, bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, and a normal resting rate is generally about 60–100 beats per minute.