Tachycardia is when the heart rate is faster than what is considered normal for the age. Sinus refers to the normal location of the electrical impulses that cause the heart muscle to contract.
The cause is often benign. It can be triggered by the body's response to 'stressful' situations (pain, anxiety, exercise). It can also be a reaction to illness (fever, dehydration, myocarditis, anaemia, hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, etc.).
In general, it does not cause symptoms and is not a finding when measuring pulsations. If the heart rate is very high, it may cause dizziness or fatigue. It is important to check all vital signs and be aware of any accompanying symptoms to ensure that the tachycardia is not due to a medical problem.
If the arrhythmia is not secondary to a medical condition, it does not need to be treated.
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