Which term best describes a heart rate that is faster than the normal range?

The term that best describes a heart rate that is faster than the normal range is tachycardia. This condition is specifically defined as having a resting heart rate that exceeds the typical range, which is generally considered to be above 100 beats per minute in adults.

Tachycardia can occur due to various physiological or pathological conditions, such as exercise, anxiety, fever, anemia, or heart-related issues, and it signifies that the heart is working harder than normal to pump blood. It is important in emergency care to recognize tachycardia, as it can indicate underlying medical concerns that may require immediate attention.

Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, while bradyarrhythmia denotes an irregular heartbeat combined with bradycardia. Supra-ventricular tachycardia is a specific type of tachycardia that originates above the ventricles, but the more general term that encompasses any fast heart rate is simply tachycardia. Thus, tachycardia is the correct choice as it directly addresses the condition of having a heart rate faster than normal.