Cardiac tachycardia in adults

What is cardiac tachycardia

Tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) that can start either in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) or in the upper chambers (atria). It usually occurs during times of stress, anxiety or fear, or during physical exertion. But after the heartbeat returns to normal. If the person is healthy.

However, in some diseases, tachycardia can occur permanently. And this is already a problem, because at increased speeds, the heart cannot efficiently pump oxygen-rich blood around the body.

There are three types of tachycardia:

• Atrial (supraventricular) tachycardia. It begins when electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart are skipped and cause an increase in the heart rate. The heart starts beating so hard that it cannot fill with blood while the ventricles are relaxed. As a result, the blood supply to the body deteriorates.
• Ventricular tachycardia. This is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the lower parts of the heart due to the fact that the electrical signals in these chambers do not work correctly. And in this case, the heart beats too fast and cannot fill with blood and fully pump it through the body.
• Sinus tachycardia. It occurs when electrical signals are generated in the heart faster than normal. But at the same time it is reduced, as it should.

Causes of tachycardia in adults

Tachycardia can occur for several reasons:

• heart disease such as high blood pressure (hypertension);
• poor blood supply to the heart muscle due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis), heart valve disease, heart failure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, tumors, or infections;
• anemia;
• other diseases such as thyroid disease, lung disease, electrolyte imbalance;
• high body temperature;
• emotional stress;
• panic disorder (panic attacks);
• smoking, alcohol or drug abuse.
• drinking large amounts of caffeinated drinks;
• some types of medicines.

Symptoms of tachycardia in adults

As a rule, the following symptoms appear with tachycardia:

• dyspnea;
• dizziness;
• sudden weakness;
• trembling in the chest;
• dizziness, confusion.

In extreme cases, a person can lose consciousness and even cardiac arrest is possible. But sometimes the superfast pulse causes no symptoms at all.

Treatment of tachycardia in adults

For any symptoms, you need to see a doctor and conduct a complete examination.

Diagnostics

In addition to assessing complaints, external examination and listening to the heart, the doctor may prescribe additional tests:

• ECG or Holter monitor;
• exercise test;
• Ultrasound of the heart, MRI and other studies, if the diagnosis is unclear.

Modern treatments

Treatment usually depends on the type of tachycardia.

Sinus tachycardia. It usually requires lifestyle changes, such as getting rid of stress.

Ventricular tachycardia. It requires a more serious approach to treatment, which includes:

• medications;
• implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD);
• automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Atrial tachycardia. For its treatment use:

• medications;
• catheter ablation of the heart;
• cardioversion;
• implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD);
• operation.

Prevention of tachycardia in adults at home

Heart palpitations do not always require treatment. But sometimes it can be life-threatening. So play it safe – tell your doctor right away if you have an irregular heartbeat.

Prevention of tachycardia includes a standard set of healthy lifestyles:

• proper nutrition;
• physical activity:
• rejection of bad habits.

Popular questions and answers

We asked about tachycardia cardiologist, arrhythmologist Vladimir Syrovnev.