Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than which threshold?

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. This threshold is significant in clinical practice because it indicates that the heart is beating faster than the normal resting rate, which typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults. A heart rate above this normal range can be a response to various conditions, including stress, pain, fever, or underlying cardiac disease. Understanding this threshold is crucial for recognizing potential health issues and determining appropriate interventions in patients who present with elevated heart rates. Additionally, it helps clinicians differentiate between normal physiological variations and possible pathological states.