Rapid Heartbeat
Alternate Names : Tachycardia, Fast Heartbeat
How is the condition diagnosed?
The speed of the heartbeat usually can be measured by checking the pulse or listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart, called an electrocardiogram or ECG, can also be used to measure the heart rate.
Diagnosis of the cause starts with a history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order tests such as:
electrocardiogram, or ECG, to help diagnose irregular heartbeats and heart attacks
chest x-ray
echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of the heart, to help diagnose congestive heart failure
thyroid function tests to diagnose high thyroid levels
arterial blood gases to measure oxygen levels in the blood
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