What indicates tachycardia?

Tachycardia is defined as an unusually high heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute for adults. A heart rate of 120 beats per minute indicates that the heart is beating faster than normal, which aligns with the clinical definition of tachycardia. When assessing for tachycardia, it’s important to recognize that while rates can vary somewhat depending on individual circumstances, a resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute generally warrants consideration of the condition. Thus, the identification of a heart rate at 120 beats per minute is a clear demonstration of tachycardia.

In contrast, heart rates such as 75, 85, and 90 beats per minute are all considered within the normal range for adults, which typically spans from 60 to 100 beats per minute while at rest. A heart rate of 85 or 90 may be towards the higher end but does not meet the criteria to be classified as tachycardia.