Which of the following terms describes a rapid heart rate?

The term that describes a rapid heart rate is tachycardia. This condition is defined as a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, which is typically over 100 beats per minute in adults. Tachycardia can occur as a physiological response to stress, exercise, or fever, but it can also indicate underlying health issues, such as anemia, hyperthyroidism, or heart conditions.

Bradycardia, in contrast, refers to a slower than normal heart rate, typically less than 60 beats per minute. Arrhythmia encompasses a range of irregular heartbeats, including both tachycardia and bradycardia, but it does not specifically denote a rapid heart rate. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that can affect its size, shape, and ability to pump efficiently, rather than being a term that describes heart rate. Understanding these definitions is crucial for recognizing different cardiovascular conditions and their implications for patient care.