What term describes an accelerated heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute?

The term that describes an accelerated heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute is tachycardia. This physiological condition results in the heart beating faster than normal, which can occur for various reasons, including physical exertion, anxiety, fever, or underlying health issues such as heart disease.

Tachycardia is significant because it can indicate that the body is under stress or that the heart is working harder than usual to meet the increased demand for blood and oxygen. Understanding this condition is critical in clinical practice, as it can lead to further complications if not addressed appropriately.

The other terms, while related to heart or respiratory conditions, have different meanings. Tachypnea refers to an increased respiratory rate, bradycardia describes a heart rate that is slower than normal (less than 60 beats per minute), and arrhythmia denotes an irregular heartbeat that can be either too fast, too slow, or erratic.