Sinus tachycardia

Sinus tachycardia
A fast heartbeat (tachycardia) because of rapid firing of the sinoatrial (sinus) node. The sinoatrial (or sinus) node is the natural pacemaker of the heart. It is located in the wall of the right atrium (the right upper chamber of the heart). Normal cardiac impulses start there and are transmitted to the atria and down to the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). Sinus tachycardia occurs in response to exercise, exertion, excitement, pain, fever, excessive thyroid hormone, low blood oxygen (hypoxia), stimulant drugs (such as caffeine and amphetamines), etc. Although sinus tachycardia is usually a response to one or another fleeting stimulus, it can upon occasion be a sign of heart failure, heart valve disease, or another significant illness.

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sinus tachycardia n abnormally rapid sinus rhythm specif sinus rhythm at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute

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(ST) tachycardia originating in the sinus node; it is normal during exercise or anxiety and occurs abnormally associated with shock, hypotension, hypoxia, congestive heart failure, fever, and various high output states.

Sinus tachycardia (150 beats per minute) during acute myocardial ischemia. P waves are indicated by arrowheads.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Tachycardia — ECG showing sinus tachycardia with a rate of about 100 beats per minute. ICD 10 I47 I …   Wikipedia

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  • Tachycardia, sinus — A fast heartbeat (tachycardia) because of rapid firing of the sinoatrial (sinus) node. The sinoatrial (or sinus) node is the natural pacemaker of the heart. It is located in the wall of the right atrium (the right upper chamber of the heart).… …   Medical dictionary

  • Sinus rhythm — The normal regular rhythm of the heart set by the natural pacemaker of the heart called the sinoatrial (or sinus) node. It is located in the wall of the right atrium (the right upper chamber of the heart). Normal cardiac impulses start there and… …   Medical dictionary

  • Sinus arrhythmia — The normal increase in heart rate that occurs during inspiration (when you breathe in). This is a natural response and is more accentuated in children than adults. The sinus refers to the natural pacemaker of the heart which is called the… …   Medical dictionary

  • tachycardia — n. an increase in the heart rate above normal. Sinus tachycardia may occur normally with exercise or excitement or it may be due to illness, such as fever. Arrhythmias may also produce tachycardia (ectopic tachycardia). See: ventricular… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Sinus bradycardia — SignSymptom infobox Name = Sinus bradycardia ICD10 = ICD9 = ICD9|427.81 MeshID = D001146 Sinus bradycardia is a heart rhythm that originates from the sinus node and has a rate of under 60bpm.Etiology*This rhythm may be caused by one of the… …   Wikipedia

  • sinus node reentrant tachycardia — sinus node reentry tachycardia, sinus reentrant tachycardia tachycardia arising from a reentrant circuit that encompasses the sinus node …   Medical dictionary

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