Tachycardia
Tachycardia is a term used to describe a faster heartbeat more than 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia can result from a range of different abnormal cardiac rhythms (arrhythmias). A fast heartbeat doesn't always indicate that something is wrong. For instance, the heart rate often rises when exercising or under stress.
Tachycardia may not show any symptoms. However, it can have serious health effects if left untreated, including stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac fatality. Tachycardia treatment may include specialized movements, medications, cardioversion, or surgery to regulate an irregular heartbeat.
What are the types of tachycardia?
There are numerous types of tachycardia based on the part of the heart that is affected, including:
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
This is the most prevalent type of tachycardia. The chaotic, erratic electrical signals in the heart's upper chambers generate a fast beating. A-fib may be transient, but some episodes will persist unless managed.
Atrial flutter
This is a condition similar to A-fib, except the heartbeats, are more regular. Episodes of atrial flutter may resolve on their own or require treatment. Atrial flutter patients frequently experience atrial fibrillation at other times.
Ventricular tachycardia
This arrhythmia begins in the lower cardiac chambers (ventricles). The high heart rate inhibits the ventricles from properly filling and contracting to pump enough blood supply to the body. Ventricular tachycardia events can be brief, lasting only a few seconds, and cause no harm. However, prolonged occurrences that continue longer than a few seconds could be fatal.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Supraventricular tachycardia is an arrhythmia that begins above the ventricles. Supraventricular tachycardia generates pounding heartbeats (palpitations) that come and go quickly.
Ventricular fibrillation
Rapid, erratic electrical signals cause the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated manner. This severe problem could result in fatality if the cardiac rhythm is not corrected in a short period of time. Most persons with ventricular fibrillation have a heart condition or have been in a traumatic accident, such as being hit by lightning.
Tachycardia symptoms
The following signs and symptoms of tachycardia include:
Some tachycardia patients don't exhibit any symptoms. The issue could be identified during a physical checkup or heart testing conducted for another cause.
What Causes Tachycardia?
Tachycardia is often caused by anything that disrupts the function of the heart, especially electrical impulses. Common causes include:
Prevention of Tachycardia: Know the lifestyle changes!
Maintaining a healthy heart and avoiding heart diseases are the best ways to prevent tachycardia. If you already have cardiac disease, follow the treatment plan and monitor it. Make sure you understand the course of treatment and take all prescription medications as instructed.
Adopting lifestyle modifications that reduce the risk of heart disease can stop a cardiac arrhythmia that causes tachycardia. Here are some recommendations:
Exercise regularly
Make an effort to exercise for at least 30 minutes.
Eat a healthy diet
Make a conscious effort to consume a diet high in whole grains, low-fat diary, lean meat, vegetables and fruits. Limit the intake of salt, saturated fats, alcohol, sugar, and trans fats.
Maintain a healthy weight
As being overweight raises the chance of getting heart problems, keeping a healthy weight is essential.
Keep cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control
Change your lifestyle and take the medications as prescribed to treat high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Stop smoking
Talk to the healthcare provider about tactics or programs to help you quit smoking if you smoke and find it difficult to stop on your own.
Drink in moderation
If you consume alcohol, do so cautiously. That entails up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for males for healthy individuals. It's advised that you entirely abstain from drinking if you have specific medical issues.
Use medications with caution
Some medicines for colds and coughs contain stimulants that could speed up the heartbeat. To learn which medications you should not use, consult the doctor.
Limit caffeine
Caffeinated beverages should be consumed in moderation (no more than one to two daily).
Manage stress
Find ways to relieve emotional and mental stress. Increasing physical exercise, mindfulness practice, and connecting with others through support groups can all help to relieve stress.
Go to scheduled checkups
Maintain regular physical checks and inform the doctor if your heartbeat changes. Inform your doctor immediately if the symptoms change or worsen or if you develop new ones.
Consult the best Cardiologists at Medicover hospitals if you have tachycardia or other heart problems.
