Which term describes a fast heart rate?

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

Answer: (C)

A fast heart rate is described by the term tachycardia. In adults at rest, normal heart rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute. When the rate rises above 100 bpm, we call it tachycardia. This term specifically describes how fast the heart is beating, regardless of whether the rhythm is regular. If the rhythm is irregular as well, you might hear about tachyarrhythmia, but tachycardia itself focuses on the speed. The other descriptions refer to different aspects: a slow heart rate is bradycardia, a normal rate is within the 60–100 range, and irregular describes rhythm, not speed.