What is a sudden rapid heartbeat? How can it be diagnosed and treated? Explore the various types of cardiac arrhythmias and the steps to manage this potentially serious heart condition.

Understanding Cardiac Arrhythmias: An Overview

The human heart is a remarkable organ, responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. However, sometimes the heart’s electrical system can malfunction, leading to various types of cardiac arrhythmias. These are abnormal heart rhythms that can range from harmless to potentially life-threatening. One of the most common experiences is a sudden rapid heartbeat, which can be a concerning symptom for many individuals.

Premature Beats: A Harmless Irregularity

Premature beats, also known as extra or skipped heartbeats, are a common type of arrhythmia. These irregular heart rhythms often occur naturally and are usually harmless, without causing any symptoms. People who do experience symptoms may report a fluttering sensation in the chest or a feeling that their heart has skipped a beat. Premature beats can happen due to factors like heart disease, stress, overexercising, or excessive consumption of caffeine or nicotine. If you experience these types of irregularities, it’s recommended to consult with a cardiologist to rule out any underlying issues and discuss any necessary lifestyle changes.

Bradycardia: When the Heart Beats Too Slowly

Bradycardia is another type of arrhythmia characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically less than 60 beats per minute in adults. For some individuals, particularly those who are physically fit or young, bradycardia is a normal and harmless condition. However, it can also occur due to factors like a previous heart attack, an underactive thyroid gland, or as a side effect of certain medications. In these cases, treatment options may include medication, a pacemaker, or addressing any underlying causes through dietary adjustments or medication changes.

Electrical Signal Disruptions: Long QT Syndrome and Atrial Flutter

Certain cardiac arrhythmias are caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system. Long QT syndrome is a hereditary disorder that slows the electrical signal responsible for the contraction of the ventricles, which can increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Atrial flutter, on the other hand, is characterized by a single electrical wave rapidly circulating in the atrium, leading to a very fast but steady heartbeat. These conditions may require treatment with medications, ablation procedures, or implanted devices like pacemakers or defibrillators to correct the misfiring electrical signals.

Diagnosing and Treating Sudden Rapid Heartbeats

If you experience a sudden rapid heartbeat, it’s essential to seek medical attention. The condition is typically diagnosed through an electrocardiogram (EKG) performed while the episode is occurring, either in an emergency room or through the use of a heart rate monitor worn as an outpatient. Depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the arrhythmia, various treatment options may be recommended, such as vagal maneuvers, medications, or a minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation.

Navigating the Road Ahead: Ongoing Care and Monitoring

Regardless of the specific treatment approach, ongoing follow-up with a healthcare provider is crucial when dealing with cardiac arrhythmias. The frequency and severity of symptoms may change over time, requiring adjustments to the treatment plan. Regular check-ups and open communication with your cardiologist can help ensure that you receive the most appropriate care for your individual needs and maintain optimal heart health.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Guidance

Sudden rapid heartbeats can be a concerning and unsettling experience, but they don’t have to be faced alone. By understanding the various types of cardiac arrhythmias and seeking professional medical guidance, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications. Remember, your heart’s health is of utmost importance, and with the right support and care, you can navigate the complexities of cardiac arrhythmias and maintain a healthy, well-functioning heart.

6 Ways Your Heart Can Get Out of Rhythm

4. Premature Beats

Most irregular heart rhythms involve extra or skipped beats. These types of arrhythmias are harmless and usually don’t cause symptoms. People who do feel symptoms report fluttering in the chest or a feeling that their heart has skipped. Premature beats can occur in anyone, most often happen naturally, and don’t require treatment. But they also can happen as a result of heart disease, stress, overexercising, or too much caffeine or nicotine. In those instances, you should talk with a cardiologist about your heart and any needed lifestyle changes.

5. Bradycardia

Bradycardia is a type of arrhythmia that, for many people, is no big deal. It means your heart rate is slower than normal — fewer than 60 beats a minute for adults. Young people and others who are very physically fit may experience bradycardia because they’re in good shape, and for them it isn’t dangerous and doesn’t cause symptoms. But people can also have bradycardia if they’ve had a heart attack or if an underactive thyroid gland or aging has slowed the heart. In these situations, taking medication or having a pacemaker implanted may be needed.

Bradycardia can also occur because of a nutritional imbalance. If this is the cause, your doctor may recommend a dietary supplement. In addition, the condition can be a side effect of medication, and in those cases a doctor may adjust your prescription.

6. Long QT Syndrome

A number of other disorders occur because of problems with the heart’s electrical system. Long QT syndrome, a hereditary disorder that usually affects children or young adults, slows the signal that causes the ventricles to contract. Another electrical signal problem, atrial flutter, happens when a single electrical wave circulates rapidly in the atrium, causing a very fast but steady heartbeat. Heart block involves weak or improperly conducted electrical signals from the upper chambers that can’t make it to the lower chambers, causing the heart to beat too slowly. These conditions can put you at risk for cardiac arrest. Treatment might involve medication, ablation, or an implanted device to correct the misfiring, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.

RELATED VIDEO: Dana Vollmer’s Best Advice To Someone Who Has an Arrhythmia

Is Your Racing Heart a Sign of Supraventricular Tachycardia?

How SVT is diagnosed

SVT is typically diagnosed with an electrocardiogram, or EKG, when a patient is experiencing the fast heart rhythm.

“Ideally, the episode would be captured in the emergency room on an EKG,” says Latchamsetty. “Otherwise, a patient may be given a heart rate monitor to wear as an outpatient until an episode is recorded and correctly diagnosed.”

SEE ALSO: How to Tell the Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack

To terminate an acute episode of SVT, some patients find success through one of several patient-initiated vagal maneuvers — simple exercises to activate the vagus nerve, which can help reset the heart’s rhythm.

“Vagal maneuvers that might allow you to slow your heart rate include holding your breath and bearing down, coughing or immersing your face in cold water,” says Latchamsetty.

Treatments for SVT

For patients who experience severe or recurrent SVT for long periods of time, catheter ablation is usually recommended.

During the minimally invasive procedure, a series of thin wires, or catheters, are guided into the heart through a blood vessel in the groin or neck. Radio-frequency energy is then sent to the heart to destroy the tissue responsible for the SVT.

An ablation procedure for SVT typically takes one to three hours, and most patients are able to go home the same day.

SEE ALSO: Catheter Ablation Helps Homebody Return to Adventure-Seeking Ways

“Some patients with SVT can suppress their episodes with medications that slow the heart rate,” says Latchamsetty. Known as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, these medications — typically taken on a daily basis — may help reduce the number or severity of these episodes.

However, he notes, “most patients with recurrent episodes of SVT opt for a catheter ablation to avoid taking daily medications.”

Whatever treatment option is chosen, ongoing follow-up with your health care provider is important, says Latchamsetty. “Symptom frequency and severity may change over time and could require a change in your treatment plan.”

Sudden Rapid Heartbeat – New West Physicians : New West Physicians

Revealing a lesser-known heart disorder and what to do about it

A feeling of dread washed over Donnette Smith after she felt her chest jolt with a sudden rapid heart beat. “Please, God. Not here, not now,” she thought. In the middle of her church choir performance, her heart started racing uncontrollably. High off the ground, she fought off feeling faint while perched in the middle of the third row of bleachers. “There’s no way down,” she thought. “I can’t ask the whole row to get off because there are thousands of people out there listening. ” Maintaining her wits, she signaled for a stagehand to grab a ladder so she could crawl off the back as the lights dimmed. Once on solid ground, her family rushed her to the hospital.

This was just one of many sudden rapid heart beat episodes Smith has experienced. She has a lesser-known, but common, heart disorder called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Nearly two million Americans live with this alarming arrhythmia that can spike heart rate unexpectantly and suddenly from a normal 60-80 beats per minute (bpm) to more than 250. In addition to the trademark rapid pulse that can last from minutes to hours, symptoms may include dizziness, fainting, sweating, chest pain or pressure, or being out of breath.

“For a time, it truly dominated my life,” Smith said. “I lived in constant fear that I would faint from having an episode while driving my grandchildren. I put off travel and stayed close to home. I didn’t want to be in a strange city and go to a new hospital and explain my condition. Some episodes would happen at 2 a.m. and my husband, my rock, would drive me to the hospital. Of course, that throws off both our next days, leaving us walking around like sleep-deprived zombies.”

Diagnosis of Sudden Rapid Heart Beat

The suddenness of PSVT makes it difficult to diagnose. Doctors need to “catch” an episode, or see the unusual heartbeat, on an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or Holter monitor before they can make a definitive diagnosis. With PSVT episodes being sporadic, occurring randomly and sometimes mere minutes in length, this can be hard. On average, diagnosis can take three years or longer and may be fraught with misdiagnoses.

For Smith, it was nearly 10 years before she had answers. PSVT’s symptoms may masquerade as anxiety or panic attacks. Smith was first prescribed an anti-anxiety medication when she experienced a sudden rapid heart beat. While seeking out a diagnosis, patients like her are often left thinking it may be all in their heads and wondering if they’re going crazy. They understandably struggle with how to convey this seemingly invisible illness to friends, family, coworkers and their doctors.

“The uncertainty of living with PSVT is equally challenging, if not more so, than the physical symptoms,” said Dr. Kathryn Wood, associate professor at Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Emory University, who has published research on the emotional toll of PSVT, on women in particular, in the “European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.” “It looms over you, affecting self-esteem and causing you to avoid daily activities such as driving, work and time with family and friends.”

Thanks to lessons from her own journey, Smith has devoted her life to empowering those living with PSVT, and those living with other heart conditions, to live fully and unafraid. She serves as the president of Mended Hearts, a national nonprofit organization that provides peer-to-peer support for heart disease patients, their families and caregivers. Smith’s advice for outsmarting PSVT hinges on three key actions.

1. Educate Yourself. If you have or suspect you have PSVT, OutsmartPSVT.com is the only online educational website designed to help actively manage the condition. It debunks myths, addresses frequently asked questions and provides useful tips.

2. Speak Up for Yourself. Track your symptoms to inform talks with your doctor. The PSVTPlace.com website is an online patient registry that can help. Increasingly, wearable watches and technology are entering the market that may be able to capture an abnormal heart rhythm to show your doctor. Persist in getting an accurate diagnosis. It may be that you need to seek out a hospital or cardiac treatment center with cardiologists on staff who have experience treating people with PSVT. Be vocal in seeking referrals or second opinions.

3. Call on Your Support System. Whether it be an advocacy group, support group or friends and family, rely on those close to you. Communicate openly about your condition, including what signs to be on the lookout for and how they can best help you. On multiple occasions, Smith’s coworkers were there for her when she had episodes at work. They were armed with her medication history and current treatment plan to have conversations with doctors on her behalf.

“The difference is night and day when you resolve to take control of your health,” Smith said.

What Smith has learned about PSVT has also helped her family members. Her daughter, Dana, began experiencing symptoms of PSVT at age 16. Having overcome PSVT first-hand, Smith was able to offer advice to her daughter, who was accurately and quickly diagnosed – a rarity for those living with PSVT. Dana underwent an ablation at 19 years old, a surgical procedure that works by scarring or destroying tissue in your heart that triggers an abnormal heart rhythm. Dana has not had an episode since. Smith’s treatment path was less direct – her first ablation was unsuccessful, but watching her daughter no longer dread the next episode after having a successful procedure gave her courage to undergo a second ablation, which worked.

There is currently no at-home treatment for PSVT, although there is a growing collection of resources, basic techniques and support groups that can help people manage the condition.

“If the resources we have now were around when I was first experiencing symptoms, I could have saved years of living in uncertainty,” Smith said. “I hope to motivate others to never give up in seeking the support they need to get a swift, accurate diagnosis. Having PSVT doesn’t need to define you. There’s hope.”

SOURCE:
Milestone Pharmaceuticals

Tags: denver, health, newwestphysicians, Sudden heartbeat

Supraventricular tachycardia – Illnesses & conditions

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a heart condition featuring episodes of an abnormally fast heart rate.

The heart will suddenly start racing, then stop racing or slow down abruptly.

Episodes can last for seconds, minutes, hours or (in rare cases) days. They may occur regularly, several times a day, or very infrequently, once or twice a year.

The heart rate may be as high as 250 beats per minute, but is usually between 140 and 180 (a normal heartbeat should be 60-100 beats per minute at rest).

What it means

• ‘Supraventricular’ means that the problem occurs in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart.
• ‘Tachycardia’ means an abnormally rapid heart rhythm. 

What happens

When the heart beats normally, its muscular walls contract (tighten and squeeze) to force blood out and around the body. They then relax, so the heart can fill with blood again. This process is repeated for every heartbeat.

In SVT, the heart muscle is contracting so fast that it cannot relax between contractions. This reduces the amount of blood being pumped around the body, which can make you feel dizzy and short of breath.

You usually feel heart palpitations (noticeable heartbeats) and a fast pulse. 

Why it happens

SVT is caused by abnormal electrical impulses that start suddenly in the upper chambers of your heart (the atria). These impulses override your heart’s natural rhythm.

It is often a short circuit in the electrical system of your heart that causes these spontaneous impulses. The short circuit causes an electrical signal to travel continuously around in a circle. Each time the signal completes the circuit, the impulse spreads out to the rest of your heart, forcing it to beat rapidly.

SVT attacks often happen for no obvious reason. However, they may be triggered by a change in posture, exertion, emotional upset, coffee or alcohol.

Who is affected

SVT can occur in anyone at any age, but it often occurs for the first time in children or young adults.

Outlook

In the vast majority of cases, attacks of SVT are harmless, do not last long and settle on their own without treatment.

If necessary, SVT can be treated with drugs that correct the abnormal heart rate. It can also be permanently treated with a very effective surgical procedure called catheter ablation, which interrupts the abnormal electrical circuits.

A Racing Pulse: How Fast Is Too Fast?

If your heart is beating so fast it feels like it’s about to burst, you could have a serious condition — or, it could be nothing to worry about. Here’s what to do.

We all know the feeling of a bounding, fast pulse after exercising or when we’re furious about something. But, what if it happens while you’re reading a book or watching TV? A racing pulse can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, from the benign to the serious.

“It depends on the context in which your symptoms appear,” says Helga Van Herle, MD, a cardiologist at Keck Medicine of USC and an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “But, if you feel like you’re going to faint or if you experience lightheadedness, chest pain or sudden shortness of breath while your pulse is racing, you should seek urgent medical attention.”

What are heart palpitations?

Palpitations is the general word doctors use for any fast or pounding sensations that you feel in your chest. These unusual heart rhythms can also be called arrhythmias. Normally, you don’t even notice your heartbeat, but these sensations often get your attention.

Want to check if your fast pulse rate is in the normal range? Set a timer to one minute, find your pulse, and count your heartbeats during that minute. A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. A racing pulse is one that’s faster than 100 beats; this is called tachycardia.

Types and causes of tachycardia

The rapid heart rate of tachycardia isn’t necessarily serious, but it can be treated, if necessary, depending on what is causing it. Here’s a breakdown:

• Sinus tachycardia
  This is the totally normal, bounding-heart feeling we get when upset, or during or after exercise. The heart is beating correctly, just fast.

• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
  This type of fast pulse originates in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. The electrical impulses that regulate your heartbeat short-circuit, resulting in a fast heart rate. SVT is the most common cause of heart rhythm problems in children; it is also linked with anxiety, fatigue, drinking lots of caffeine or alcohol, and smoking. SVT isn’t often serious, and lifestyle modifications or medications may help to reduce episodes.

• Ventricular tachycardia
  Ventricular tachycardia originates in the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, and can be serious. As with SVT, with ventricular tachycardia, the electrical impulse that regulates the heart rate misfires, causing a fast rhythm. This often occurs in people who already have a heart condition, such as cardiomyopathy, or weakened heart muscles. It can also be caused by some medications and illegal substances, like cocaine. Depending on the cause, ventricular tachycardia may be treated with medication or surgery.

Is atrial fibrillation the same as tachycardia?

Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, is sometimes called a type of tachycardia. What distinguishes it (and other kinds of fibrillation) is that not only is the speed of your pulse altered, its rhythm is, too. So, instead of beating steadily, the heart beats irregularly. The American Heart Association estimates that at least 2.7 million Americans are living with this common heart rhythm disorder.

A-fib can lead to blood clots that may increase your risk of stroke; it’s also associated with a higher chance of developing heart failure. Those who have existing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or hyperthyroidism or are obese or heavy alcohol users are more likely to develop A-fib. Lifestyle changes, medications, blood thinners, weight loss and surgery can help to manage this type of heart palpitations.

How are these conditions diagnosed?

Van Herle explains that your doctor will take your pulse, either by counting the number of heartbeats in one minute or by using an electrocardiogram, a painless test that detects and records your heart activity through the use of small electrodes, or sensors, that are attached to your chest and arms or legs.

“If your racing pulse is intermittent,” she says, “your doctor may order other types of testing to further evaluate it, such as a Holter monitor or a cardiac event recorder. Both of these devices are types of portable electrocardiograms that you can wear for a limited amount of time, ranging from 24 hours up to weeks or months. This will provide your doctor with information about your heart rate and rhythm over a longer period of time.”

Following a heart-healthy lifestyle is always a good idea, but it may not necessarily reduce the episodes or complications of arrhythmia, according to Van Herle. In some cases, other medical therapies may be necessary. Work with your doctor to manage your symptoms.

by Tina Donvito

Are you concerned about a racing pulse? Our expert cardiologists can help. If you’re in Southern California, request an appointment or call (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273).

Arrhythmia | Heart and Stroke Foundation

Types of arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are defined by the speed of the heartbeats: slow and fast. They include bradycardia and tachycardia, with a variety of conditions under those two categories.

1. Slow heartbeat – bradycardia

Bradycardia occurs when your heart beats so slowly that it cannot pump enough blood for your body’s needs. Untreated bradycardia can cause excessive tiredness, dizziness, light-headedness or fainting. An electronic pacemaker can help the heart to beat normally.

Bradycardia can be caused by:

• Sick sinus syndrome
  This is a malfunction in the heart’s natural pacemaker (the sinus node), which makes it fire too slowly. This condition may be caused by growing older or by disease. Some medications can also cause or aggravate a slow heartbeat. The resulting arrhythmia may be temporary or permanent. It can be treated with medication or with an electronic pacemaker.
• Heart block
  This is the slowing down or interruption of the electrical signal to the lower chambers of the heart which cause the heart muscle to contract. The heart’s electrical system normally sends signals from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles) in a pattern that causes a heartbeat, a coordinated contraction of the heart muscle.

2. Rapid heartbeat – tachycardia

Tachycardia occurs when your heart beats too fast. There are two main types: Tachycardia above a ventricle and Tachycardia in a ventricle.

• Tachycardia above a ventricle (supraventricular)
  These are rapid heartbeats in the atria (the top chambers of your heart) or in the AV (atrioventricular) node – the electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles (the lower chambers of your heart).
• Atrial flutter
  In atrial flutter, an extra or early electrical impulse travels around and around the atria in a circular path rather than down along its normal path. This electrical signal causes the atria to “flutter,” contracting at a much higher rate than normal. Atrial flutter is usually not life threatening, but can cause chest pain, faintness or other more serious problems.
• Atrial fibrillation (Afib)
  This common form of tachycardia occurs when the electrical activity in the atria is disorganized and very rapid. The pattern of electrical activity stimulates the atria randomly and at a high speed, which causes a series of very rapid contractions of the heart’s upper chambers, preventing them from pumping effectively. Though not usually life-threatening, the rapid, irregular and uncoordinated beating of the ventricles may cause light-headedness or palpitations. If it goes on for several days or longer, it may increase your risk of stroke, because blood trapped in the atria can clot and travel from your heart to your brain, causing a stroke.
• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
  This type of tachycardia produces heart rates between 140 and 250 beats per minute. PSVT usually occurs in people who are born with an extra electrical circuit or pathway between the atria and the ventricles. PSVT often starts when you are young, but it may also start later in life. It may be distressing, but it is rarely life-threatening.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome
  If you have WPW syndrome, an extra, abnormal electrical pathway in your heart leads to tachycardia. The abnormality is present at birth (congenital), but WPW is usually diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood. Most people with WPW syndrome lead normal lives. Many have no symptoms and have no episodes of tachycardia. Some people experience rapid heartbeats (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia), with heart rates rising up to 240 beats per minute. Other symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting and possibly angina.

Tachycardia in a ventricle

• Ventricular tachycardia
  Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) beat too fast. The ventricles are responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body. If tachycardia becomes so severe that the ventricles can’t pump effectively, it may be life threatening. Ventricular tachycardia can be treated with medications. Other treatments include an implantable defibrillator, catheter ablation, non-surgical procedures to destroy malfunctioning cells, or surgery to remove damaged heart tissue.

• Ventricular fibrillation
  Incorrectly timed electrical signals or signals that do not follow normal pathways, may set off ventricular fibrillation. Like atrial fibrillation, the electrical signal that normally triggers a heartbeat splits and goes off on random paths around the ventricles instead of following its normal route. This causes a series of rapid – but ineffective – contractions of the ventricles. Without treatment, ventricular fibrillation may be fatal. Treatment is an electric shock to the heart, using a machine called a defibrillator. The shock resets the heart and returns it to its normal rhythm.

• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
  POTS makes it difficult to adjust to a standing position from a lying down position. People with POTS experience a rapid heartbeat that can increase up to 120 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing. Other common symptoms include headaches, light-headedness, inability to exercise, extreme fatigue, sweating, nausea, chest discomfort, brain fog (mental clouding) and near fainting (syncope).

POTS commonly appears between the ages of 12 and 50 and typically affects more females than males. To diagnose POTS, your doctor will measure your blood pressure and heart rate while you’re lying down and standing up. Measurements are taken immediately after changing positions, as well as at 2, 5 and 10 minute intervals after standing up. POTS is frequently misdiagnosed as panic attacks or chronic anxiety. Sometimes a test called a head upright tilt table exam will be performed to help confirm the diagnosis.

Although POTS can be a severely debilitating disorder, many patients will slowly improve over time and the majority will respond to treatment.

When are Heart Palpitations Serious

Although often harmless, heart palpitations could signal arrhythmia and other serious heart conditions. A National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) senior consultant tells us more.

Continued from previous page.

Cardiac arrhythmias: An electrical short-circuit in the heart

Of greater concern are heart palpitations caused by cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias occur when there is a short-circuit in the electrical impulses controlling your heartbeat.

According to
Clinical Associate Professor Ching Chi Keong, Senior Consultant from the Department of Cardiology and Director for Electrophysiology and Pacing at National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), a member of the
SingHealth group, these electrical impulses are what will cause your heart to beat too rapidly, too slowly or irregularly.

When you have arrhythmia, your heartbeat either goes very fast, over 100 beats a minute (tachycardia) or very slow, less than 60 beats a minute (bradycardia).

Complications of cardiac arrhythmias

These arrhythmic heart palpitations can have serious implications:

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

This is a prevalent arrhythmia in young adults This is experienced as a sudden burst of rapid heartbeats that begin and end abruptly, lasting for seconds or hours. SVT is usually not life threatening.

Atrial fibrillation

This fast and irregular palpitation occurs in the atria or upper chambers of the heart and could last a few minutes to an hour. Atrial fibrillation arrhythmias could become chronic and lead to stroke. It is seldom life-threatening, but the heart palpitations could indicate underlying coronary artery disease or heart valve disorders.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Ventricular tachycardia is a very rapid, but regular heartbeat of 100 beats or more a minute occurring in the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart.

Sustained heart palpitations lasting more than 30 seconds are considered a medical emergency. They could indicate pre-existing heart diseases such as coronary artery disease or heart valve disorders.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

If ventricular tachycardia is left untreated, it will lead to a life-threatening condition called ventricular fibrillation, characterised by very fast and very irregular heartbeats. It usually precedes a heart attack. You could lose consciousness within seconds and die within minutes.

Treatment of heart palpitations

Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and quitting smoking can help.

Doctors would normally prescribe oral medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to slow down heart rates in arrhythmias.

For supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation arrhythmias, catheter ablation – a non-surgical procedure using radiofrequency energy – is a possible cure.

Heart valve disorders will require surgery.

When to seek emergency medical care

Seek immediate medical help if heart palpitations are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Severe chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual sweating
• Loss of consciousness

It’s also important to consult a doctor without delay if you have pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of sudden death.

Read the previous page to learn about
symptoms and causes of heart palpitations.

Ref: U11

Also, check out our other articles on heart health:

Sudden Chest Pains You Shouldn’t Ignore

Heart Attack in Women: How Symptoms Differ From Men

How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone

Heart Murmurs: Which Ones are Innocent? Which are Dangerous?

Sudden Death During Exercise: How It Occurs

How a Flu-like Viral Infection Can Affect the Heart

10 Tips for a Healthy Heart

Paroxysmal tachycardia

Paroxysmal
tachycardia is an attack that occurs suddenly and also suddenly stops
heart palpitations. Typically, an attack lasts from a few seconds to
several hours, but in rare cases, paroxysmal tachycardia is not
stops for several days.

At
paroxysmal tachycardia, increased rhythm occurs without physiological
if necessary, the pulse is more than 150 beats per minute.Man feels
chest discomfort, flutter of the heart, weakness, sweating,
excitation. In some cases, the heart rate can reach 250
beats per minute. After an attack, there is usually a rapid and profuse
urination.

Paroxysmal
tachycardia is not an accurate diagnosis, which includes three possible diseases, in
depending on where the electrical impulses are generated and which chamber
the heart contracts first.

Herself
paroxysmal tachycardia itself is not a life-threatening disease, but
delivers a lot of inconvenience with its suddenness. In case of untimely cupping
attack, a high heart rate is usually accompanied by a decrease
or a sharp rise in blood pressure, fainting or lightheadedness
states. In addition, in patients with
paroxysmal tachycardia after seizures, electrical
changes in the atrial wall, resulting in an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.therefore
the main task of the doctor is to eliminate the paroxysmal tachycardia, to protect the patient
from the emergence of a new independent pathology.

V
there are currently effective drugs to help stop an attack
tachycardia and make seizures more rare. But medicinally cure it
the disease is impossible. The patient can be completely cured by prompt
intervention – catheter (radio frequency) ablation.

ABC medicine

Tachycardia is one of the most common heart rhythm disturbances.The main mechanism for the development of pathology is to increase the automatism of the sinus node. In this case, the heart rate increases to more than 90 beats per minute. Tachycardia may not have subjective manifestations. It is most often felt as an increased heartbeat. In the presence of pathologies of the cardiovascular system, this type of arrhythmia can worsen the general condition and provoke the development of complications. Therefore, the treatment of tachycardia should be prescribed and strictly controlled by a specialist.

Causes of tachycardia

An increase or increase in heart rate does not always mean the presence of problems with the cardiovascular system.For example, at preschool age, it is considered the norm and does not require special assistance. Symptoms of cardiac tachycardia can also appear in practically healthy people as a result of the activation of physiological compensatory mechanisms, that is, as a response of the body to the influence of one or another external factor. The reaction of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, accompanied by the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, causes an increase in heart rate. The occurrence of tachycardia can be triggered by the following factors:

90 020 90 021 stress, physical activity and emotional arousal;

abrupt change in body position, etc. d.

With the termination of the action of the provoking factor, the heart rate gradually returns to normal.

However, tachycardia often accompanies the presence of certain pathological conditions. It can be a manifestation of various cardiovascular diseases – arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart disease (rheumatic or congenital), cardiosclerosis, etc. In addition, tachycardia can be neurogenic, that is, be associated with disorders of the autonomic nervous system and brain.Among other reasons – a fever that develops against the background of an infectious and inflammatory process (pneumonia, tonsillitis, etc.).

Symptoms of the disease

For tachycardia, which is a sign of a disease, the following symptoms are characteristic.

• Feeling of interruptions and / or “failures” in the work of the heart are the most common manifestations.
• Shortness of breath (shortness of breath), which occurs with little exercise or even at rest.
• Pain in the region of the heart (accompany an attack of tachycardia with vegetative-vascular dystonia and some other diseases).
• Dizziness and darkening in the eyes, lightheadedness and even fainting (this is due to a violation of the blood supply to the brain).

In general, the manifestation of the clinical symptoms of tachycardia depends on the nature of the underlying disease, as well as on the severity and duration of the arrhythmia itself.

Consequences of tachycardia

Physiological tachycardia, which occurs in healthy people, even in the presence of pronounced subjective manifestations, does not pose a threat to life and has good prognosis.In patients with heart disease, the consequences can be quite serious. The main and serious complications are the development of heart failure, states of loss of consciousness and even sudden death. In addition, the presence of tachycardia increases the risk of blood clots, which in turn leads to frequent heart attacks and stroke. Therefore, timely assistance with tachycardia is so important.

Diagnosis of tachycardia

Electrocardiography

ECG plays a leading role in the differential diagnosis of tachycardia and assistance in identifying its causes.This method allows you to determine the type of pathology, as well as the rhythm and heart rate. With an increase in the severity of symptoms of cardiac tachycardia, it is advisable to conduct daily ECG monitoring by Holter. This method is highly informative. It allows you to detect and analyze any heart rhythm disturbances within 24 hours. Holter monitoring helps to identify ischemic changes during normal physical activity.

Echocardiography

It is a standard examination method to exclude cardiac pathology in case of any rhythm disturbances.Thanks to echocardiography, the doctor receives data on the size of the heart chambers, the thickness of the myocardial walls, changes in the valve apparatus. This examination allows you to identify violations of local contractility.

Electrophysiological research

This is an invasive method for examining patients with heart disease. Electrophysiological examination is used with appropriate indications before surgery for the treatment of arrhythmias. It is used to diagnose different types of tachycardia in a limited number of patients.This method is reduced to determining the nature of the propagation of an electrical impulse through the myocardium, allowing to determine the mechanisms of tachycardia or cardiac conduction disorders.

Additional examinations

Additional research methods are used to identify the causes of cardiac pathology. A specialist may prescribe a blood test (general and for thyroid hormones), electroencephalography. In rare cases, cardiac MRI is done, usually to check for congenital abnormalities.

Treatment of tachycardia

Medicinal

For the treatment of tachycardia, drugs belonging to the following groups are used.

• Antiarrhythmic. These are drugs with different mechanisms of action. They can only be prescribed by the attending physician, based on clinical data. Self-medication is dangerous, since the same medications can be effective for one type of tachycardia and are contraindicated for another.
• Sedatives. Most often these are synthetic or herbal products. They are prescribed for the treatment of tachycardia associated with vegetative-vascular dystonia. Such funds help to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and, as a result, reduce the frequency of arrhythmia attacks.

If tachycardia is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure, pressor amines are usually prescribed to increase it to a level of 100-110 mm Hg. Art.

Surgical

Minimally invasive surgery is a common radical treatment for tachycardia.It is performed under local anesthesia. This can be radiofrequency catheter ablation, the installation of an artificial pacemaker, etc. Among the main reasons requiring serious surgical care are the following.

• Hormonal disorders. Common causes of tachycardia are thyrotoxicosis (excess thyroid hormones) and pheochromocytoma (a hormonally active tumor in the kidney or adrenal glands). In such cases, surgical removal of the growth or area of ​​the gland that produces excess hormones is usually recommended.
• Structural and functional changes. Cardiac surgery is performed in the presence of gross congenital heart defects, severe circulatory disorders (ICC), to eliminate the consequences of rheumatism, etc.

In some cases, arrhythmia does not require special treatment if it is a symptom of anemia, is caused by a malignant blood disease (for example, leukemia), occurs against the background of fever, etc. For tachycardia caused by such causes, treatment is to eliminate the underlying disease.

Prevention of tachycardia

Timely assistance in detecting tachycardia allows you to avoid the appearance of its attacks in the future. Therefore, it is important, first of all, to consult a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment. Prevention of this disease consists in its early diagnosis, therapy of cardiac pathology, as well as elimination of the influence of non-cardiac factors that provoke the development of heart rate disorders.

Power supply normalization

It is important to limit or completely eliminate the consumption of products containing caffeine, alcohol.Instead of strong coffee or tea, you can drink herbal infusions that have a sedative effect. You should limit the consumption of sweet and fatty foods, follow the principles of healthy eating. The most correct and useful choice for people suffering from heart disease will be a vegetable-milk diet. The presence of fruit and vegetable juices in the diet is also important.

Intake of vitamins and microelements

To prevent heart palpitations, it is recommended to take magnesium, which regulates the effects of calcium in the cells of the heart. This microelement contributes to the establishment of rhythmic contractions and relaxation of the heart muscle. Potassium is also important for the proper functioning of the organ. Please note that all drugs should be prescribed by a doctor based on the causes of the disease and provoking factors.

Leading an active lifestyle

Sports and reasonable physical activity stimulate the heart and at the same time increase the resistance of the whole organism to the release of excess adrenaline.As a result, the general emotional background is normalized, irritability decreases. It is important to strictly dose the load, avoiding overexertion. Regular and prolonged exposure to fresh air helps to reduce the frequency of occurrence of tachycardia attacks. You should set aside at least half an hour daily for a walk.

Remember that only a doctor can diagnose a disease and prescribe treatment for cardiac tachycardia. If you are concerned about the listed symptoms, seek advice from the specialists of the clinic “ABC-Medicine”. To contact us, please dial +7 (495) 223-38-83 .

Heart rhythm disturbance

If the heart begins to beat unevenly, there is a feeling of interruption, there is a rapid or slow heartbeat, they speak of the occurrence of arrhythmia. The normal rhythm is sinus: in a healthy adult, at rest, the heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute.

Arrhythmia is considered to be any failure not only in the rhythm, but also in the heart rate

What controls the heart rate?

In the human heart there is a sinus node – the “conductor” of the heart rate. It is located where the superior vena cava flows into the right atrium (figure). Its fibers transmit impulses that create the “melody” and the pace of our heart. With various violations of the sinus node, the “conductor’s baton” automatically switches to other “performers” (atrio-gastric node or to the bundle of His – see. drawing) and then we feel how our heart begins to “fake”: jump out of the chest, beat out of time or painfully “moan”.

Arrhythmia often occurs against the background of serious heart damage: ischemia, myocardial infarction, defects and injuries. Often, the heart rate is disturbed as a result of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and central nervous systems. Excess coffee, tea, alcohol, physical strain, drug intoxication and electrolyte imbalance can also cause arrhythmias.

What types of arrhythmias are there?

Sinus tachycardia – an increase in heart rate up to 150 beats per minute – this is the most “allegro” (“allegro”)! His tempo is exactly equal to 116-160 beats. Musicians define it as “very fast”. The reasons for this type of arrhythmia: heart failure, diseases of the thyroid gland or central nervous system, anemia, various poisoning.

Sinus bradycardia – a decrease in heart rate to 60 or less beats per minute. Heart “adagio” (“adagio”) – slow or even drawn out pace. Causes: the use of certain types of drugs (for example, beta-blockers), diseases of the digestive system, central nervous system, neuroses, viral infections or decreased thyroid function.

Paroxysmal tachycardia – sudden attacks of very rapid heartbeat (the so-called paroxysms), when at rest the heart beats from 140 to 200-300 beats per minute. “Prestissimo” (“Prestissimo”), that is, extremely fast.Causes: dystrophic changes in the myocardium (more common in elderly people), abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system, heart failure, thyroid disease.

Extrasystole – premature contraction of the heart muscle. It has many subspecies and can accompany almost any heart disease. In people over 50, extrasystole is diagnosed in 80% of cases. Its main symptoms are: a sensation of a sudden push or blow to the chest.Many patients complain of heart sinking. Extrasystole is often accompanied by weakness, hot flashes, difficulty breathing, increased anxiety, dizziness, fainting.

Atrial fibrillation – chaotic contraction of individual fibers of the atrial myocardium with a very high frequency – from 200-300 or more. The main causes are organic heart disease: prolonged arterial hypertension, heart failure, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, heart defects, coronary artery disease.The severity of symptoms depends on the general health of the person. Many of them can manifest themselves in other types of arrhythmias: rapid heartbeat, pain and tingling in the chest, increased sweating, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, sudden attacks of fear.

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

The first thing to do when subjective signs of heart rhythm disturbances appear is to consult a doctor (therapist or cardiologist), because treatment of arrhythmias largely depends on the type and causes of occurrence.

When treating cardiac arrhythmias, it is also very important to restore the electrolyte balance, when a person receives the necessary amounts of potassium and magnesium – these useful microelements very often help to return the heart to the “comodo” pace, ie. beat calmly. Mineral preparations, for example, Panangin Forte, help to cope with this task.

Rapid heartbeat: what to do, how to treat

Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) is an increase in heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute.It is necessary to distinguish between tachycardia as a pathological phenomenon, that is, an increase in heart rate at rest, and tachycardia as a normal physiological phenomenon – an increase in heart rate as a result of exercise, excitement or fear.

Rapid heartbeat is not a disease, but a symptom, since it can occur as a manifestation of many different diseases.

The most common causes of tachycardia are:

• paroxysmal tachycardia,
• disorders of the autonomic nervous system,
• thyrotoxicosis.

Sudden attack of heartbeat with a frequency of 150-300 beats per minute. called paroxysmal tachycardia. Such tachycardia can occur both in patients with organic heart lesions and in practically healthy people (the so-called idiopathic paroxysmal tachycardia). It can last for a few seconds or minutes and go away on its own. The attack develops suddenly, the number of heartbeats usually lies in the range of 150-180 per minute.Often during an attack, the vessels of the neck pulsate.

Thyrotoxicosis is a disease of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by an increased level of thyroid hormones in the blood. Thyrotoxicosis in 60-80% of cases is caused by diffuse toxic goiter, it also develops with excessive intake of preparations of thyroid hormones, preparations containing iodine, autoimmune thyroiditis, etc. , sweating, feeling hot, trembling limbs, frequent stools, weight loss, bulging.

Also, palpitations can occur after drinking red wine, caffeine, chocolate, etc. Insomnia can also cause palpitations.

But if the patient is worried about unmotivated heart palpitations, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
You can get answers to your questions or make an appointment by calling the multichannel phone: (495) 956-91-03

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Cardiac tachycardia – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pathology

What is cardiac tachycardia?

A healthy heart works in a constant rhythm, and normally a person does not feel its beating. But if the normal heartbeat is disturbed, there are unpleasant sensations in the chest, anxiety, dizziness and pulsation in the area of ​​large vessels.

During the cardiac cycle, i.e. rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle, the vessels are first filled with blood, and then their blood supply decreases. The oscillation of the vascular walls during this cycle is called the pulse. Normally, the heart beats 60-90 times per minute. If the heart rate is more than 90 beats per minute – this is tachycardia, less than 60 – bradycardia.

How to measure the pulse?

It is recommended to measure the pulse in the morning immediately after waking up in the supine position. It is better to do this on the wrist, feeling the artery with the middle and index fingers. You need to count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply the indicator by 4.

Heart rate in healthy people depends on many factors:

90,020 90,021 gender: On average, women have a slightly faster heart rate than men;

90,021 lifestyle: tachycardia is observed in people who smoke, as well as in those who regularly consume alcohol, with improper work and rest, lack of sleep;

90,021 Diet: Certain foods and drinks, as well as medications, speed up the heart rate.

An increase in heart rate can be observed in a perfectly healthy person after active sports, hard physical work, with a lack of oxygen, heat, during stressful situations, after taking a large amount of strong coffee or alcohol (Fig. 1). The heart beats more often in response to external factors. In this case, tachycardia is a reaction to the release of adrenaline into the blood or nervous excitement. Pulse usually returns to normal after a short enough rest.

Picture 1.How coffee and alcohol affect heart rate. Source: MedPortal

Another manifestation of the protective function of tachycardia is a rapid pulse in patients with internal bleeding or with significant blood loss due to trauma. An increase in heart rate allows you to avoid hypoxia and saturate the myocardium with oxygen in conditions of a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Baby pulse

In children, the pulse rate differs markedly, since the growing organism has a high need for oxygen and nutrients. The accelerated metabolism leads to an increased heart rate at rest. In newborns, the heart beats at a frequency of 120-140 beats per minute, the most frequent pulse in six-month-old babies is 130-135. With age, the pulse gradually slows down, and in 15-year-old adolescents, it is already approaching the norm of adults.

Reasons

The causes of pathological tachycardia are divided into cardiac, i.e. associated with dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system, and extracardiac – caused by diseases of other organs and systems of the body.

Extra-cardiac causes:

• hypodynamia,
• high temperature,
• endocrine system diseases – overactive thyroid gland, low blood sugar,
• anemia – drop in hemoglobin level,
• low blood pressure,
• chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia,
• shock conditions,
• adrenal tumors,
• underweight, strict diets,
• intoxication with certain drugs,
• problems from the nervous system,
• abdominal obesity,
• apnea,
• some diseases of internal organs.

Cardiac pathology:

Risk factors for developing tachycardia:

• diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease;

90,021 alcoholism;

90,021 genetic predisposition;

• high blood pressure;

90,021 old age.

Tachycardia in pregnant women

An increase in heart rate by 20-30 beats per minute often appears in women at different stages of pregnancy.This could be related to:

• hormonal changes;
• an increase in the amount of circulating blood;
• pressure of the enlarged uterus on the heart and blood vessels.

In the absence of a history of heart disease, this condition is considered normal and disappears after childbirth. Overweight women, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, bronchial asthma require increased attention.

Classification of tachycardia

The classification of tachycardia is based on the determination of the primary sources of rapid heartbeat.

Sinus tachycardia

This type of tachycardia is diagnosed with a heart rate in the range of 100-200 beats per minute. This disorder is a physiological response to irritation of the sympathetic nervous system: stress, exercise, pain, etc.

Sinus tachycardia is characterized by a gradual onset and smooth normalization of the pulse. A prolonged attack can cause dizziness, a decrease in pressure, and a decrease in the amount of urine excreted.

This is the most common type of tachycardia that does not require special treatment.In most cases, the heart rate returns to normal after the cause of the increased heart rate has been eliminated.

Ventricular tachycardia

The pathology is based on an increase in the number of ventricular contractions and an acceleration of the heart rate due to disturbances in the structure of the myocardium or the conduction system of the ventricles. As a result, the electrical impulse is interrupted in the ventricles and circulates in a closed circle.

The pulse rate during an attack of ventricular tachycardia increases to 140-220 beats per minute, which can lead to disruption of the blood supply to the brain, a sharp drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

This is the most dangerous type of tachycardia that can lead to ventricular fibrillation, a condition in which the heart can beat more than 300 times per minute.

Ventricular tachycardia can lead to circulatory arrest and clinical death.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the cause of ventricular arrhythmias is coronary heart disease. Sometimes an attack occurs while taking certain medications: cardiac glycosides, psychotropic drugs, anesthetics.

Atrial tachycardia

This type of tachycardia develops in limited areas of the atria. In the general structure of arrhythmias, atrial tachycardias account for 10-15% of cases.

Risk factors for atrial tachycardia:

• hypertension;
• ischemic heart disease;

90,021 congenital and acquired heart defects;

• chronic bronchitis.

Atrial tachycardia can occur against the background of endocrine disorders, alcohol abuse, obesity.

Atrioventricular tachycardia

This type of arrhythmia is not associated with pathologies and is more common in adolescents and young people during physical and emotional stress. In adults, heart palpitations appear against the background of heart disease and sclerotic changes in the heart muscle.

Paroxysmal tachycardia

This type of arrhythmia is characterized by heart palpitations with a frequency of up to 220 beats per minute or more. Various forms of paroxysmal tachycardia are diagnosed in 20-30% of patients with arrhythmia.

Normally, electrical impulses are formed in the sinus node – the natural pacemaker of the heart muscle. With paroxysmal tachycardia, they are generated in the ventricles, atria, or atrioventricular junction. The attacks start suddenly and end just as abruptly, repeating regularly at approximately regular intervals.

Attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia impede blood circulation, and the heart works with increased stress. Prolonged seizures can lead to weakness and fainting.

Arterial tachycardia

Tachycardia of this type is not a separate form of heart rhythm disturbance, it is considered a symptom of various pathologies. Most often, arterial tachycardia is associated with hypertension and other vascular diseases. Usually detected in the elderly.

In hypertension, palpitations are accompanied by shortness of breath, tinnitus, dizziness, and general weakness. A person may not feel a strong pulsation, and a heart rate above 100 beats per minute is determined only by a doctor during blood pressure measurements if a hypertensive crisis is suspected.

Orthostatic tachycardia

With a steady acceleration of the pulse (more than 30 beats per minute in adults and 40 beats per minute in children), when changing the lying position to a standing position, they talk about the syndrome of orthostatic tachycardia. This condition is not a separate disease, this term denotes a large number of characteristic symptoms. Treatment is required only for regular attacks accompanied by nausea, dizziness and chest discomfort.

Why is tachycardia dangerous?

Tachycardia is a health hazard if it is caused by dysfunction of the cardiovascular system or other diseases of the internal organs.The rapid heartbeat prevents the heart ventricles from filling with blood, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure and a deterioration in the blood supply to the internal organs. In addition, a heavily stressed heart requires much more oxygen. This condition threatens to develop into acute heart failure and lead to a heart attack, coronary artery disease.

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms depends on the nature and severity of the underlying disease, as well as on the sensitivity threshold of the patient’s nervous system.The most common manifestations of tachycardia include anxiety, a state of excitement and discomfort in the region of the heart (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Symptoms of tachycardia. Source: MedPortal

How to calm your heart quickly?

With a rapid heartbeat, you need to relax, get distracted, and lie down calmly. In no case should you drink strong tea or coffee. A cold compress can be applied to the face area.

When to see a doctor?

Urgent medical attention is required in cases when heart palpitations occur in the background:

• arterial hypertension,
• cardiovascular disease,
• endocrine disorders,

90,021 pregnancy.

It is imperative to consult a doctor if you have a hereditary predisposition to tachycardia and in a situation where each subsequent attack is more severe than the previous one.

Diagnostics

The main method for diagnosing tachycardia is an electrocardiogram. By the nature of the ECG, the doctor determines the type of pathology and the degree of its severity (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. ECG pattern in the presence of tachycardia. Source: MedPortal

To clarify the main diagnosis, daily monitoring of ECG by Holter, MRI of the heart, echocardiography and other hardware and laboratory tests are prescribed.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes of palpitations and is carried out in a comprehensive manner. First of all, the factors that cause tachycardia are excluded: it is forbidden to drink strong coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, eat chocolate, smoke. It is recommended to normalize the emotional state and avoid excessive physical exertion.

In the complex of treatment of the underlying disease, sedatives and additional drugs are added to normalize the work of the heart muscle.

Photo: v_l / freepik.com

If tachycardia is caused by structural changes in the heart or a violation of hormone production and does not respond to drug treatment, the patient may be offered surgical intervention: radiofrequency catheter ablation, installation of a pacemaker, removal of tumors, if any. In any case, the treatment regimen is prescribed by a cardiologist after consultation with other specialists.

Important! Medicines that correct the heart rhythm cannot be taken without a doctor’s prescription, the wrong choice of therapy can only aggravate the disease.

Forecast and prevention

Subject to all medical recommendations and the transition to a healthy lifestyle, the prognosis is favorable. The success of therapy depends on the time to see a doctor and the adequacy of the treatment of the underlying disease.

In order to reduce the risk of developing tachycardia, you should:

• eat varied and regularly, include vegetables, fruits, fish, dairy and seafood in the diet,
• Exercise regularly, cardio,
• avoid stress,
• do not abuse coffee and alcohol, stop smoking.

Photo: DCStudio / freepik.com

Conclusion

Rapid pulse is not a disease, but may indicate problems with the heart and other organs and systems of the body. You should not leave such a symptom unattended: early determination of the cause of tachycardia allows you to completely normalize the condition and avoid repeated attacks.

Sources

1. Utsumueva M.D., Mironov N.Yu., Shlevkov N.B., Kiktev V.G., Gupalo E.M., Kashtanova S.Yu., Mironova N.A., Golitsyn S.P. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and concomitant cardiac conduction disorders. Clinical case and discussion of the problem. Cardiovascular therapy and prevention. 2020; 19 (3): 2368.
2. Salami H.F., Shlevkov N.B., Sokolov S.F. Possibilities and limitations of standard electrocardiography for differential diagnosis of tachycardias with extended QRS complexes. Almanac of Clinical Medicine. 2019; 47 (4): 350-360.

Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).Patient Information

One of the most common problems in medical and cardiac practice is rapid heartbeat (rapid heart rate) , or tachycardia . This is often the only complaint, and the doctor, if at the time of treatment does not record tachycardia, often dismisses the patient or prescribes the so-called. fortifying treatment, there is also the appointment of more serious drugs without obvious grounds. Let’s try to figure out what difficulties arise in the diagnosis of conditions associated with a rapid heart rate.

Rapid heartbeat. Facts & Figures

• Complaints of palpitations were recorded in 16% of cases of visits to a cardiologist or therapist.
• In 84% of cases, palpitations were the main complaint of patients.
• From 31 to 67% of cases of complaints of palpitations are not supported by objective research.

What is heart palpitations

What the patient calls a heartbeat or pulse, doctors call heartbeats, or heart rate (heart rate) per minute.This is because the heart rate per minute is not always the same as the heart rate per minute.

The pulse is measured on arteries close to the surface of the body, heartbeats – directly while listening to heart sounds.

Before determining the abnormality, you should find out which heartbeat is normal. A “normal” heart rate is arbitrarily defined as 60-100 beats per minute at rest, although an interval of 50-90 beats per minute is also suggested.

Heart rate may vary from person to person depending on age, fitness level, observation time, medications taken, etc.

It was revealed that in healthy people in the absence of clinical symptoms, the “normal” range of heart rate during the day is 46-93 beats per minute for men and 51-95 beats per minute for women , while the frequency at night is lower. When resting or sleeping at night, even a low heart rate of 40 beats per minute can be normal, even in healthy people.Thus, for a rapid heart rate, we take a resting heart rate above 90-100 beats per minute.

Palpitations is a sensory symptom defined as an unpleasant sensation of a strong, fast, and / or irregular heartbeat. Patients may describe this sensation as a rapid flutter in the chest, a thumping sensation in the chest or neck.

Sensory symptoms are the result of dysfunction of receptors – nerve endings that perceive mechanical, thermal or chemical stimulation.

Heart rate even above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) does not always mean heart disease. Many diseases that are not directly related to the heart can be accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, for example, anemia, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), diseases accompanied by an increase in body temperature, panic attacks, etc. That is why, with such a complaint, it would be correct to contact a therapist, and not a cardiologist.

Preparing to visit a doctor

You will save a lot of time and frustration if you spend a few days preparing for your doctor’s appointment.

If your main (and maybe the only) complaint is a rapid heartbeat , measure your heart rate several times in a calm environment without physical and emotional stress. Record your results in a journal. If you doubt the accuracy of your measurements or cannot read your heart rate, use a heart rate monitor.

If the complaint about palpitations is not constant, but occurs from time to time, then measure the pulse exactly at the moment of the complaint and also record the result in the diary.Analyze your condition and try to find out if there are factors that trigger heart palpitations, whether the heartbeat starts suddenly or gradually, goes away suddenly or gradually, if there is anything you can do to stop the heartbeat (for example, hold your breath for a while). Answering these questions will greatly facilitate the doctor’s work.

Check the body temperature for several days, enter the results in the diary. Rewrite all the medications you are taking (often, at the doctor’s appointment, the patient is lost and cannot remember the names of the medications he is taking).It is equally important to indicate drugs that have recently been taken and have been withdrawn at the present time.

At the doctor’s appointment

After interviewing, examining and examining your diary, the doctor will decide if an additional examination is necessary. You may be asked to conduct an EKG and a complete blood count, a study of the thyroid gland. Often there is a need for daily ECG monitoring.

Causes of rapid heartbeat

There are many reasons for palpitations, and not all are associated with heart disease.We have combined some of the reasons into a table:

One university study identified four predictive criteria for a cardiac (cardiac) cause of heart palpitations:

• Male
• Description of irregular heartbeat
• Presence of heart disease
• Duration of symptoms more than 5 minutes

In the absence of these prognostic signs, the likelihood that the cause of heart palpitations lay in heart disease in this study was zero. In the presence of one, two and three signs – 26, 48 and 71 percent, respectively. These results were confirmed in another study.

Diagnosis of rapid heartbeat

The key task of diagnostics for a complaint of a palpitations is objectification of this complaint, i.e. the task is to compare the symptoms that bother the patient with what is happening at that moment with the patient’s heart. For this, various methods of recording an electrocardiogram are used:

Standard ECG .A feature of the standard electrocardiogram is that the recording of the electrical activity of the heart is carried out in a very short period of time, about 7-10 seconds. Accordingly, an electrocardiogram may be helpful in the following cases:

• There is a persistent form of cardiac arrhythmia, and it is easy to register on the ECG, for example, a permanent form of atrial fibrillation
• Symptoms and ECG changes occur at the time of registration of the electrocardiogram
• The patient has a pathology with persistent ECG changes in the interictal period, for example, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

It should be noted that the likelihood of such a development of events is rather low. Therefore, in most cases, with complaints of palpitations, there is a need for long-term monitoring of ECG .

Holter monitoring is the most frequent option for long-term ambulatory ECG monitoring. Registration of an electrocardiogram in this type of study most often lasts 12-24-48 hours. Holter monitoring is most effective for frequent symptoms, daily or nearly daily heart palpitations. Read more about Holter monitoring here.

Zio patch is a special device (see picture) capable of recording the heart rate for 14 days.

Special implantable devices are capable of recording an electrocardiogram for months or even years.

Other diagnostic methods are selected based on the clinical picture and the list of diseases that the doctor deems it necessary to confirm or exclude. It is fair to say that the minimum set of studies for heart palpitations will include:

The effectiveness of the diagnosis of rapid heartbeat in numbers

• It is possible to identify the cause of the palpitations in about 85% of cases
• In 43% of cases, the cause of the palpitations was cardiac, i. e.e. associated with heart disease
• In 31% of cases, tachycardia complaints were associated with anxiety or depressive disorder, as well as with panic attacks
• In 10% of cases, tachycardia was associated with other diseases and conditions, such as thyrotoxicosis, excessive consumption of caffeine, anemia, drugs, drugs
• Cardiac causes of tachycardia were more common when applying to the emergency department, and when visiting an outpatient clinic, psychological problems prevailed
• In a large percentage of cases, more than three years passed from the first visit to the final diagnosis.

On objective and subjective

Very often, after examination, the doctor informs the patient that he did not reveal tachycardia in him.“But I FEEL,” the patient says. A situation arises when both are right. The patient feels a rapid heartbeat, but the doctor does not detect it. Unfortunately, there are currently no objective or highly probable criteria that a tachycardia complaint is related to a mental or psychological condition. If the examination does not find a physical illness, the patient may be advised to consult a psychotherapist.

90,000 Rapid heart rate in children

Has your child started complaining of a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) or did you yourself notice how often and strongly his heart beats? Do not rush to get scared and first determine the reason for such a reaction of the body.This is usually due to physical or emotional stress, fright or fever due to illness.

You should know the heart rate indicators depending on the age of the child in order to understand whether he really has a rapid heartbeat.

Normal heart rate:

90 020 90 021 up to a year – 130-150 bpm;

from 14-15 years old – 70-75 beats / min.

If these indicators differ, then this may be due to the presence of cardiovascular or other diseases.

The baby’s heart rate is affected by factors such as:

• Age;
• Time of the year;
• Body temperature;
• Activity level;
• Presence of a disease;
• Time of heartbeat measurement (wakefulness, resting state).

Healthy children are physically active and emotional, so an increase in heart rate is normal for them. If the indicators are exceeded, we are talking about tachycardia , which harms the body of a small person and leads to various complications from the cardiovascular system.

A rapid heartbeat in a child can also be a sign of paroxysmal tachycardia, which is characterized by a disorder in the work of the heart muscle.The disease can be accompanied by acute attacks of tachycardia, lasting up to several hours, as well as nausea and vomiting. In infants, against the background of such an attack, shortness of breath, cough and even convulsions may occur.

If a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) is detected in a child, you must:

• Place the child on a flat surface;
• Try to calm and distract him;
• Call a doctor.

Treatment of rapid heart rate

Treatment for children of any age and adolescents diagnosed with palpitations should be prescribed by a doctor.The choice of the treatment method should be based on the analysis of the data obtained on the basis of the results of the diagnosis and the study of the anamnesis of the little patient.

The multidisciplinary medical center “Medicenter” provides services for the treatment of any childhood diseases. At the Department of Pediatrics, experienced and qualified pediatric cardiologists who diagnose and treat diseases of the cardiovascular system in the smallest children receive appointments.

Thanks to the latest equipment and effective methods of detecting and preventing heart diseases, cardiologists of the Medicenter network of clinics have been helping to fight and conquer even the most severe complications arising in the work of the heart for several years.

Our clinics in St. Petersburg

Medical Center South-West

Marshal Zhukov Ave. 28k2
Kirovsky district

• Avtovo
• Veterans Avenue
• Leninsky Prospect

You can get detailed information and make an appointment by calling
+7 (812) 640-55-25

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