What condition is characterized by normal P waves and a rate greater than 100 BPM?

The condition characterized by normal P waves and a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute (BPM) is sinus tachycardia. In this rhythm, the underlying mechanism is an increased firing rate of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which leads to a faster than normal heart rate while maintaining the integrity of the P waves. The presence of normal P waves indicates that the impulses are originating from the SA node, which is a hallmark of sinus rhythms, despite the elevated heart rate.

Sinus tachycardia can occur in response to various physiological stressors, such as exercise, fever, anxiety, or conditions that lead to increased demand for cardiac output. Recognizing this rhythm is essential because it differs from other tachyarrhythmias, where P waves may be abnormal or absent.

In contrast, other conditions listed involve different heart rate characteristics or abnormal P wave morphology. For instance, sinus arrhythmia is typically characterized by a variable heart rate that can change with respiration, not exceeding 100 BPM consistently. Atrial flutter is recognized by a distinct pattern of sawtooth flutter waves instead of normal P waves, and sinus bradycardia is defined by a heart rate less than 60 BPM. Therefore, sinus tach