tachycardia

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A rapid resting heart rate, especially one above 100 beats per minute; palpitations.

   “The heart becomes irritable, there is nervous palpitation, or attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia.”

   “Tachycardias of all types reduce the cardiac output if the rate is high enough. […] The main difference between the tachycardias as regards the reduction of cardiac output is the rate at which they cause a significant reduction of cardiac output, and this depends on the type of tachycardia.”

   “Tachycardia is defined as a FHR [fetal heart rate] above 160 bpm that lasts for at least 10 minutes. Tachycardia represents increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic autonomic tone and, therefore, is generally associated with a normal loss of FHR baseline variability[…].”

   “With atrial tachycardia, the atria of the heart beats abnormally fast. Though often unpleasant for the patient, an atrial tachycardia is typically not fatal. However, some tachycardia, particularly ventricular tachycardia, can trigger ventricular fibrillation wherein the heart beats chaotically resulting in little or no net flow of blood from the heart to the brain and organs.”

   “Both CRT-Ds and ICDs are implanted under the skin, in the patient’s upper chest area. The devices have wires called leads that attach to the heart and regulate the rhythm of the muscle. Defibrillators help patients with bradycardia – a slow heartbeat – by pacing the heartbeat and those with tachycardia – a fast heartbeat – by delivering shocks that reset heartbeats to normal.”