Sinus Tachycardia

A resting sinus rate of more than 100 beats per minute is called sinus tachycardia.

• Newborn: 110 – 150 bpm
• 2 years: 85 – 125 bpm
• 4 years: 75 – 115 bpm
• 6 years+: 60 – 100 bpm

CAUSES

• Fever
• Hypovolemia
• Pain
• Infection
• Exercise
• Emotion/ anxiety
• Pregnancy
• Anemia
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Beta-agonists e.g. salbutamol

Clinical features

• Onset and termination of sinus tachycardia are gradual (in contrast to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia).
• Sinus tachycardia infrequently exceeds 160/min.
• Patients complain of palpitation

Management

• Treatment of the cause
• Symptomatic sinus tachycardia can be reduced with beta-blocker