Final answer:
A heart rate of 164 beats per minute is categorized as tachycardia, a potentially dangerous arrhythmia. Defibrillation using an AED can be a critical emergency intervention to reset the heart's rhythm, especially in instances of ventricular fibrillation which is a medical emergency.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient presents to the emergency room with a complaint of the heart 'beating too fast' and is found to have a heart rate of 164 beats per minute, this condition is referred to as tachycardia, which is a type of arrhythmia. A normal adult heart rate is between 60-100 beats per minute and, thus, 164 beats per minute is significantly higher. Tachycardia can be addressed in various ways, depending on its cause and severity. In the case of a severe and life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation may be necessary. This is a process where a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED) delivers an electrical shock to the heart. The shock can halt the abnormal rhythm and allow the natural pacemaker of the heart to restore a normal sinus rhythm. This critical intervention can be lifesaving, particularly in cases of cardiac emergencies where the heart is not pumping effectively. Defibrillators are increasingly available in public spaces and are designed to be operated by non-medical personnel with verbal instructions provided by the device. In a hospital setting, when a patient experiences ventricular fibrillation, a 'code blue' is called, and immediate resuscitation efforts, including defibrillation, begin to prevent brain death and restore a functional heart rhythm.