How is tachycardia characterized?

Tachycardia is characterized by a pulse rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute (bpm). This definition points to an elevated heart rate, which can occur due to various physiological or pathological conditions such as stress, fever, anemia, or heart disorders. The threshold of 100 bpm is significant in distinguishing normal heart function from tachycardia. Understanding this concept is crucial in clinical practice, as identifying tachycardia can lead to timely interventions and management of underlying conditions.

The other choices relate to different heart rate categorizations: a pulse rate below 60 bpm indicates bradycardia, while a rate between 60 to 100 bpm is considered normal. A rate exceeding 120 bpm indicates a more severe or rapid form of tachycardia but does not define the condition itself. Thus, while tachycardia begins at 100 bpm, further elevation is seen in specific cases.