What is tachycardia?
Tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia defined by a fast heart rate that’s 100 beats per minute or higher. For comparison, a normal heart rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute. Along with a rapid heart rate, you may also have an irregular heart rhythm.
You can develop several types of tachycardia, including:
- Atrial fibrillation: fast, irregular heartbeat originating in the heart’s upper chambers
- Atrial flutter: rapid heart rate of 250-350 beats per minute in the upper chambers
- Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: fast, regular heart beat in the upper chambers
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: fast, regular beat above the lower chambers
- Ventricular tachycardia: fast, regular beating in the lower heart chambers
- Ventricular fibrillation: the lower chambers rapidly quiver
Ventricular fibrillation is the most dangerous type of tachycardia because it causes sudden cardiac arrest.
What causes tachycardia?
Tachycardia develops for numerous reasons, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
- High or low blood pressure
- High caffeine consumption
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Electrolyte imbalance
An electrolyte imbalance means you have high or low levels of potassium, sodium, magnesium, or calcium.
What are the symptoms of tachycardia?
Depending on the type of tachycardia, you may not feel the change in your heart rate. Or you may have several possible symptoms because a rapidly beating heart can’t send enough blood out to your body.
You may experience:
- Palpitations (sensation of a pounding or racing heart)
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
You can also check your pulse at your wrist or the side of your neck.
How is tachycardia treated?
Your treatment depends on the type of tachycardia and its underlying cause. After completing a physical exam and running diagnostic tests, like an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or tilt table test, your provider recommends one or more of the following:
- Medications
- Vagal maneuvers
- Cardioversion
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemaker
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
You may also need treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, beginning with lifestyle modifications like eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, losing weight, and limiting the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink.
Some people may need surgery to stop abnormal electrical signals responsible for their tachycardia.
Don’t wait to seek help for tachycardia. Call Phoenix Heart or request an appointment online today.
