Final answer:
Tachycardia in fetuses is considered when the heart rate exceeds 160 bpm and can indicate fetal distress if it persists over 10 minutes, necessitating medical interventions like emergency birth. For adults, a resting HR above 100 bpm is considered tachycardia, but children can have higher HRs without concern. Treatment varies with the cause and may include medication or surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tachycardia in a fetus is considered abnormal when the heart rate is over 160 bpm, and it can be indicative of fetal distress if it lasts longer than 10 minutes. Tachycardia in a resting patient is typically defined as a resting heart rate (HR) above 100 bpm, and in the context of pregnancy, an elevated fetal heart rate could be associated with various causes such as maternal fever, hypoxemia, or a fetal response to stress. However, in a clinical setting, a persistent heart rate significantly higher than the normal range, particularly over 160 bpm in a fetus, prompts consideration for the potential of fetal distress. This is especially critical if such high rates are sustained because they may indicate severe issues that prevent the restoration of oxygenated blood to the fetus. Consequently, this may necessitate immediate medical interventions like a vacuum delivery, forceps, or Caesarian section to reduce the chances of morbidity and mortality.
It's important to note that while a resting heart rate over 100 bpm in adults is considered tachycardia, the normal resting heart rates for children can be over 100 bpm without it being abnormal. Treatment for tachycardia depends on the underlying cause and may involve medications, or in more severe cases, surgical interventions such as the implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator or ablation surgery.