What constitutes tachycardia?

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, which is typically above 100 beats per minute (bpm) in adults. This condition indicates that the heart is beating faster than normal, which can be a response to various factors such as exercise, stress, fever, or underlying heart conditions.

The understanding of tachycardia is fundamental in Immediate Life Support courses as it is critical in assessing a patient's hemodynamic status and potential need for intervention. Monitoring heart rate is an important part of patient assessment, and recognizing tachycardia can help in identifying patients who may be experiencing distress or require further evaluation and treatment. Recognizing that a heart rate of over 100 bpm is a key clinical sign allows healthcare providers to prioritize and manage patients appropriately based on their heart rate responses.