Fast Heart Rate (Tachycardia)

Arrhythmia is a medical term that refers to a heart rate that is outside the normal range (60 to 100 beats per minute).  An arrhythmia that is too fast is called a tachyarrhythmia or tachycardia, where the beats are more than 100 per minute.

Some fast heart rates are appropriate. For instance, if you are being chased, your body has a need for more oxygen. This is called sinus tachycardia - a normal response and a normal rhythm. Other rapid heart rates occur because there is a problem with the heart or its conduction system (the part of the heart that generates electricity and causes it to beat).

Upon diagnosis of tachycardia, a physician may choose to treat the patient using medication or ablation.  However, if these techniques are ineffective, another option may be an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).