What would you see if the heart rate is above 100 bpm on an EKG?

What would you see if the heart rate is above 100 bpm on an EKG?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Normal sinus rhythm

Answer: (B)

When the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute (bpm), this condition is classified as tachycardia. Tachycardia indicates that the heart is beating faster than what is considered normal at rest, which generally is up to 100 bpm. It can result from various physiological or pathological conditions, such as exercise, fever, anemia, anxiety, or heart-related issues.

Understanding tachycardia is important in EKG interpretation, as it significantly influences the heart's performance and could affect oxygen delivery to tissues. When identifying tachycardia on an EKG, you would observe a rapid succession of QRS complexes occurring at a rate exceeding 100 bpm, often accompanied by frequent P waves, depending on the underlying cause and type of tachycardia. Recognizing this pattern helps to differentiate it from other conditions like bradycardia (which indicates a slow heart rate), arrhythmias (which can encompass a broad range of irregular heartbeats), or normal sinus rhythm (which is a normal, steady rate between 60 to 100 bpm).