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Author:- Mr. Ritesh Sharma
Tachycardia is something that all individuals experience once in their lifetime. If your heart rate has ever exceeded 100 beats per minute then you have encountered a condition called tachycardia. In most cases, tachycardia is a kind of cardiac arrhythmia that is fleeting and causes no harm whatsoever to the person experiencing it. However, if the tachycardia is persistent, then it can definitely be a cause for alarm as it can indicative of various heart abnormalities. Whenever tachycardia occurs, it produces a sense of heart palpitations or heart fluttering.
In some cases, this sensation is not felt by the person with a great impact and the heartbeat comes back to its normal range after a period of time. However, sometimes, the heart palpitations or heart fluttering are strongly felt by the person experiencing tachycardia. It causes a state of panic that gives rise to different heart symptoms.
All in all, the study of tachycardia is deeply intricate and it is important to understand all of its nuances for adopting the correct treatment options if you are affected by it. In this blog, everything related to the most common yet under-discussed arrhythmia—Tachycardia is covered.
What is Tachycardia?
As we have mentioned earlier, Tachycardia is a condition in which the heart rate exceeds its normal range of 100 beats per minute. But the real question here is this: is tachycardia a dangerous arrhythmia? The answer to this question is highly nuanced and layered. While some types of tachycardia fall in the alarming tachycardia category, others have little to no impact on the body whatsoever.
But how do you identify which tachycardia is dangerous and which one is not? Unlike something like say bradycardia; it is much easier to identify which tachycardia is alarming and which one is not. All you have to do is be a good observer. For example, you are exercising and the aftermath of the experience gives you a fast heart rate. Now, what you have encountered is something called exercise-inducted tachycardia which is not harmful at all for you.
On the contrary, exercise-induced tachycardia helps strengthen your cardiac muscles as your heart is forced to pump blood with much more intensity than it does normally. But, is it the case with all kinds of tachycardia? The answer is big no. There are many persistent types of tachycardias that can cause real harm to your heart. Let’s discuss these dangerous and completely harmless tachycardia types below.
Types of Tachycardia
Tachycardia can be classified into several types based on where it originates in the heart:
- Sinus Tachycardia: This occurs when the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker, sends out electrical signals faster than normal. It can be caused by factors like exercise, fever, anxiety, or stimulant use (e.g., caffeine or nicotine).
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): SVT originates above the ventricles and includes various types such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). SVT usually involves rapid heartbeats starting and stopping abruptly.
- Ventricular Tachycardia: This type originates in the ventricles and can be life-threatening. It often results from serious heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy or previous heart attacks. Sustained ventricular tachycardia requires immediate medical attention.
Causes of Tachycardia
Several factors can lead to tachycardia:
- Physical Exertion: Exercise or strenuous activity increases heart rate to meet the body’s increased demand for oxygen.
- Emotional Stress: Anxiety, panic attacks, or intense emotions can trigger an increase in heart rate.
- Stimulants: Caffeine, nicotine, and certain medications can stimulate the heart and raise the heart rate.
- Medical Conditions: Fever, infections, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and heart diseases like coronary artery disease can cause tachycardia.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: Abnormal levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium can affect heart rhythm.
- Alcohol or Drug Use: Excessive alcohol consumption or the use of recreational drugs can lead to increased heart rate.
Symptoms of Tachycardia
Symptoms of tachycardia can vary depending on the type and severity. Common symptoms include:
- Palpitations: A sensation of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Chest Pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest, especially if tachycardia is related to heart disease.
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless.
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Feeling faint or experiencing a sudden loss of balance.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or lack of energy.
- Syncope: Fainting or near-fainting episodes.
Diagnosis of Tachycardia
Diagnosing tachycardia involves several steps and tests:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: Doctors will ask about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and perform a physical examination.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and helps identify abnormal heart rhythms. Portable ECG devices like Spandan can be used at home to capture real-time data.
- Holter Monitor: A portable ECG device worn for 24-48 hours to monitor heart activity over a longer period.
- Event Monitor: Similar to a Holter monitor but used for longer periods, recording heart activity when symptoms occur.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to visualize its structure and function.
- Blood Tests: To check for underlying conditions like thyroid issues or electrolyte imbalances.
Treatment of Tachycardia
As we have covered everything associated with tachycardia from its types to causes and diagnosis, it is paramount for us to let you know what treatment you must opt for if you are affected by tachycardia. Some tachycardias like the ones caused by exercise, running or other physical activities do not require any treatment at all. These types of tachycardia are cured on their own after a considerable period of time.
However various types of tachycardia such as monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, monomorphic atrial tachycardia, wide complex tachycardia, narrow complex tachycardia, etc, require prompt medical intervention. Hence, if you experience symptoms of any of these types of tachycardia, you must consult a healthcare professional promptly and get yourself diagnosed and treated.
In a nutshell, tachycardia is a condition that is a lot of times normally encountered by people, so don’t fret if you find your heart racing the next time. However, if that bad boy doesn’t stop beating fast, go to your doctor and seek worthy and timely treatment.