What is the medical term for a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate?

Tachycardia, also called tachyarrhythmia, is a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate. In general, a resting heart rate over 100 beats per minute is accepted as tachycardia in adults. Heart rates above the resting rate may be normal (such as with exercise) or abnormal (such as with electrical problems within the heart).

Tachycardia can lead to fainting.

When the rate of blood flow becomes too rapid, or fast blood flow passes on damaged endothelium, it increases the friction within vessels resulting in turbulence and other disturbances. According to the Virchow's triad, this is one of the three conditions that can lead to thrombosis (i.e., blood clots within vessels).

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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10 Comments

Doris Dallaire

I used to get tachycardia for hours on end and would be exhausted for days after. Then I had a procedure done to correct the electrical problem in my heart and have been fine ever since.

Carla Fisher Kraft

toughlady, I dealt with it until I was in my 40's. I had an ablation done to correct an extra hole in my heart.

Carla Fisher Kraft

Doris Dallaire, I did too!

Mary Clinton

Easy one! Loved the question though Lily!!

Elaine GIbson

Good question, Lily.

Robin Heckler

Lilly, this is a good question. You gave reasonable answer options to choose from and an excellent picture that didn't give away the answer. All in all I'd say very well done.