A rapid pulse of 104 beats/minute indicates what condition?

A rapid pulse of 104 beats per minute is indicative of tachycardia, which is defined as a heart rate exceeding the normal resting rate, typically considered to be over 100 beats per minute in adults. Tachycardia can occur for a variety of reasons, including stress, fever, physical activity, or underlying medical conditions. Recognizing tachycardia is important for understanding a patient’s cardiovascular health and determining if further investigation or treatment is necessary.

In the context of the other choices, while an arrhythmia refers to any irregularity in heart rhythm, it does not specifically define the heart rate as being fast or slow. Atrial flutter is a specific type of arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rate due to disorganized electrical signals in the atria but would usually present at a higher rate than 104 beats per minute or exhibit distinct ECG characteristics. Bradycardia, on the other hand, refers to an unusually slow heart rate, which is not applicable when discussing a pulse rate of 104 beats per minute. Thus, identifying the condition as tachycardia is essential in recognizing and addressing its potential implications for the patient's health.