Tachycardia – causes, symptoms, treatment. How to prevent tachycardia?

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Tachycardia is the so-called heart tachycardia, which causes the heart to beat faster than 100 beats per minute. This condition is also called a tachyarrhythmia. Read what tachycardia is, what its types are and how you can prevent it.

Tachycardia – what is it?

Tachycardia is a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. The heart normally beats 60 to 100 times a minuteand the pulse (felt on the wrist, neck or elsewhere) corresponds to the contractions of the ventricles, the two powerful lower chambers of the heart.

Tachycardia can be part of the body’s normal response to anxiety, fever, rapid blood loss, or strenuous exercise. It can also be caused by health problems such as abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones called hyperthyroidism. In some people, tachycardia is the result of an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate or rhythm caused by the heart). Tachycardia can also be caused by lung problems, such as pneumonia or a blood clot in one of the pulmonary arteries.

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Tachycardia and the work of the heart

To understand the cause of tachycardia, it can be helpful to know the normal way the heart works. The heart consists of four chambers – two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers.

The heart rhythm is controlled by a natural pacemaker (sinus node) in the upper right ventricle (atrium). The sinus node sends out electrical signals that usually start every heartbeat. These electrical signals travel through the atria, causing the heart muscle to compress (contract) and pump blood into the ventricles.

The signals then travel to a cluster of cells called the AV node, where they are slowed down. This slight delay allows the ventricles to be filled with blood. When electrical signals reach the ventricles, the chambers contract and pump blood to the lungs or to the rest of the body.

In a typical heart, this heart signaling process tends to be smooth, resulting in a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Tachycardia – causes

Tachycardia usually results from disturbances in the normal electrical impulses that control how the heart works. Tachycardia can be caused by the following factors:

1. reaction to certain medications
2. congenital heart abnormalities,
3. consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine,
4. taking cocaine or other psychotropic drugs,
5. electrolyte imbalance,
6. poor blood supply and damage to heart tissue due to heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart failure, heart muscle disease, tumors, or infections
7. hypertension or high blood pressure,
8. smoking tobacco,
9. certain lung diseases, thyroid problems, anemia and other health problems,
10. fatigue of the body,
11. heavy bleeding
12. stress.

Sometimes, however, the exact cause may not be clear.

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Tachycardia – atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is defined as the rapid heart rate that begins in the upper chambers of the heart. Some forms of this particular tachycardia are paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).

With atrial or supraventricular tachycardia, electrical signals in the upper cavities of the heart are not triggered correctly. It is disruptive to electrical impulses coming from the sinoatrial node (SA), the heart’s natural pacemaker.

The disturbance causes your heart rate to be faster than normal. This rapid heartbeat prevents the heart chambers from filling completely between contractions, making it difficult for blood to flow to the rest of the body.

In general, people most likely to have atrial or supraventricular tachycardia are:

1. children (SVT is the most common type of arrhythmia in children)
2. women,
3. young people,
4. physically tired people,
5. people who drink large amounts of coffee (or substances containing caffeine),
6. people who drink alcohol heavily,
7. smokers.

Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is less commonly associated with myocardial infarction or serious mitral valve disease.

Symptoms and complications of atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Some people with atrial or supraventricular tachycardia may not have discernible symptoms. Others may experience:

1. dizziness,
2. fast heart beat or palpitations
3. stinging in the chest
4. tightness in the chest (angina)
5. dyspnoea,
6. tiredness.

In extreme cases, people suffering from atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) may also experience:

1. fainting with loss of consciousness
2. cardiac arrest.

Quite often, treatment is not required in people with atrial or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

However, if the episodes are prolonged or recur frequently, your doctor may recommend treatments, including:

1. carotid sinus massage,
2. the Valsalva maneuver, which involves keeping the nostrils closed while blowing air through the nose
3. using the diving reflex: the diving reflex is the body’s reaction to a sudden immersion in water, especially in cold water,
4. reduction of stressful situations,
5. limiting the consumption of coffee or substances containing caffeine,
6. limiting alcohol consumption,
7. quitting smoking
8. more rest.

In patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, medications or ablation may be necessary to control paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).

Tachycardia – sinus tachycardia

Sinus tachycardia is understood as an increase in heart rate. In this state, the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, sends electrical signals faster than usual. Heart rate is faster than normal, but the heart beats normally.

The reasons for the appearance of sinus tachycardia include:

1. anxiety situation,
2. emotional suffering,
3. increased physical activity,
4. fever,
5. taking certain medications.

Other, less common causes may include:

1. anemia,
2. increased activity of the thyroid gland,
3. damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack or heart failure
4. heavy bleeding.

Tachycardia – ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia occurs while problems with the electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart make the heart beat faster. This affects its ability to pump blood to the rest of the body. This type of tachycardia can be well-tolerated or life-threatening, requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. The severity depends largely on the presence of other cardiac dysfunctions and the degree of ventricular tachycardia.

With ventricular tachycardia, the electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart are abnormal. This disrupts the electrical impulses coming from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart’s natural pacemaker.

The disturbance causes a faster than normal heart rate. This rapid heartbeat prevents the heart chambers from filling completely between contractions, making it difficult for blood to flow to the rest of the body.

Ventricular tachycardia is most often associated with disorders that disrupt the heart’s electrical conduction system. These disorders can include:

1. lack of blood supply to the coronary artery, depletion of oxygen to the heart tissue
2. cardiomyopathy that disrupts the structure of the heart
3. side effects of drugs
4. drug use,
5. sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease that affects the skin or body tissues).

Symptoms of ventricular tachycardia vary. however, common symptoms include:

1. dizziness,
2. palpitations,
3. dyspnoea,
4. nausea,
5. loss of consciousness,
6. cardiac arrest in extreme cases.

Tachycardia – prevention

The best way to prevent tachycardia is to keep your heart healthy and to prevent heart disease. If you already have heart disease, monitor it and follow your treatment plan. Make sure you understand your treatment plan and take all medications as directed.

Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease can help prevent cardiac tachycardia. Follow these recommendations:

1. follow a proper diet – Choose a diet high in whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and fruit and vegetables. Limit salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat, and trans fat
2. engage in physical activity – try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days
3. maintain a healthy weight – being overweight increases the risk of developing heart disease,
4. keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control – make lifestyle changes and take medications as directed to control high blood pressure (hypertension) or high cholesterol
5. stop smoking If you smoke and are unable to quit yourself, talk to your doctor about strategies or programs to help you break your smoking habit.
6. do not use drugs or stimulants such as cocaine,
7. limit alcohol consumption,
8. use medications with caution – some cold and cough medicines contain stimulants that can make your heart beat fast. Ask your doctor what medications you should avoid
9. limit caffeine – if you drink caffeinated drinks, do so in moderation (no more than one or two drinks a day),
10. reduce stress – find ways to reduce emotional stress. Getting more exercise, practicing mindfulness, and connecting with others in support groups are just some of the ways to reduce stress.
11. check yourself regularly – Have physical exams regularly and report any changes in your heart rhythm to your doctor. If your symptoms change or worsen, or if new symptoms appear, please inform your doctor immediately.

Tachycardia – treatment

If you are struggling with sinus tachycardia, you should identify the cause at the start of treatment and suggest ways to lower your heart rate. These may include lifestyle changes such as relieving stress or taking medications to lower fever.

If you have supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor may recommend that you drink less caffeine or alcohol, get more sleep, and stop smoking if you smoke.

Treatment for ventricular tachycardia can include drugs that reset the heart’s electrical signals or ablation, a procedure that destroys abnormal heart tissue. and.

Rapid heart rate does not always require treatment. But it can be life-threatening at times.