Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than how many beats per minute?

• A. 80 bpm
• B. 90 bpm
• C. 100 bpm
• D. 110 bpm

Answer: (C)

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. This threshold is used because a resting heart rate above this level indicates that the heart is beating faster than normal, which could be an indication of underlying conditions or physiological responses such as stress, anxiety, fever, or dehydration.

The definition does not consider lower values like 80 bpm, 90 bpm, or 110 bpm as criteria for tachycardia because they fall within the normal range of heart rates for resting adults. By establishing 100 bpm as the cutoff, it effectively differentiates between normal and elevated heart rate, aiding healthcare professionals in identifying potential medical issues that require further evaluation or intervention.