What is the correct term for a higher than normal heart rate?

The term for a higher than normal heart rate is tachycardia. This medical terminology specifically refers to a condition where the heart beats faster than the standard resting rate, which is typically defined as more than 100 beats per minute in adults. Understanding this term is crucial for medical assistants, as it can indicate various health issues that may require further evaluation or intervention.

Bradycardia, in contrast, describes a slower than normal heart rate, while hypotension refers to low blood pressure. Bradypnea denotes a slow respiratory rate. Each of these terms relates to different physiological conditions, and recognizing tachycardia is essential for monitoring patients' cardiovascular health.