A variety of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) can cause tachycardia, which is characterized by a rapid heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute.
When the heart rate increases during exercise or in response to stress, trauma, or illness, for example, it’s normal to have a fast heartbeat; however, in tachycardia, the heart beats more quickly than usual due to circumstances unrelated to physiological stress.
Tachycardia can disrupt regular heart function and result in serious complications, such as: In some cases, tachycardia may not result in symptoms or complications.
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- sudden cardiac death or arrest
A tachycardia-causing condition can be treated with medications, surgeries, or other medical procedures.
Types
Tachycardia comes in a wide variety of forms and is often caused by a variety of heart conditions.
Atrial fibrillation.Rapid, uncoordinated, weak contractions of the atria are the result of chaotic, irregular electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation, which is a rapid heart rate.
The most frequent form of tachycardia is atrial fibrillation, which may be transient in some cases but persists in others unless treated.
Atrial flutter.Atrial flutter, which is brought on by atypical circuitry within the atria, is characterized by the atria of the heart beating very quickly but consistently.
Atrial flutter patients frequently also experience atrial fibrillation at other times, and episodes of atrial flutter may resolve on their own or may require treatment.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).Supraventricular tachycardia is characterized by an abnormally rapid heartbeat that begins above the ventricles and is brought on by abnormal heart circuitry, which typically exists at birth and results in a loop of overlapping signals.
Ventricular tachycardia.The rapid heart rate prevents the ventricles from filling and contracting effectively to pump enough blood to the body, resulting in ventricular tachycardia, which is characterized by abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles).
Ventricular fibrillation.If the heart isn’t returned to a normal rhythm with an electric shock to the heart (defibrillation) within minutes, ventricular fibrillation, which causes the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to quiver rather than pumping necessary blood to the body, can be fatal.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Rapid pulse rate
- Heart palpitations, also known as a fluttering, erratic, or pounding in the chest, are a common condition.
- Chest pain
- Fainting (syncope)
A physical examination or a heart monitoring test called an electrocardiogram are the only ways to diagnose tachycardia in some people because they don’t exhibit any symptoms.
Causes
The normal electrical impulses that regulate the rate at which your heart pumps are disrupted by something called tachycardia, which can be brought on by a variety of factors.
- Anemia
- excessive consumption of coffee
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Exercise
- Fever
- Blood pressure levels, high or low
- imbalance of the minerals called electrolytes, which are needed to conduct electrical impulses
- Medication side effects
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Smoking
- Anxiety or other forms of sudden stress
- Utilization of stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine
The heart’s electrical system
Knowing how the electrical system of the heart operates can help with understanding the causes of heart rate or rhythm issues like tachycardia.
Two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles) make up the heart, which has four chambers in total. The sinus node, a natural pacemaker found in the right atrium, normally starts each heartbeat by producing electrical impulses.
Electrical impulses leave the sinus node and cross the atria, contracting the atrial muscles to pump blood into the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart.
The atrioventricular (AV) node, which is typically the only route for signals to reach the ventricles from the atria, is where the electrical impulses finally arrive.
When electrical impulses reach the muscles of the ventricles, they contract, causing them to pump blood either to the lungs or to the rest of the body. The AV node slightly delays the electrical signal before sending it to the ventricles, allowing the ventricles to fill with blood.
The heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or in an irregular rhythm as a result of anything that upsets this intricate system.
Risk factors
You are more likely to develop tachycardia as you get older or if you have family members who have the condition or another heart rhythm disorder.
You’re more likely to experience tachycardia if you have any condition that stresses your heart or harms heart tissue, such as:
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Heavy alcohol use
- Heavy caffeine use
- High blood pressure
- Overactive or underactive thyroid
- Psychological stress or anxiety
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Use of stimulant drugs
The risk of tachycardia may be reduced by making lifestyle adjustments or receiving medical care for associated medical conditions.
Complications
Tachycardia complications vary depending on the type, intensity, duration, and presence of other heart conditions.
Possible complications include:
- clots in the blood that can lead to a heart attack or stroke
- heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot adequately pump blood
- repeatedly falling unconscious or fainting
- Only ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation are typically associated with sudden death.
Prevention
If you already have heart disease, monitor it and adhere to your treatment plan to help prevent tachycardia. The best way to prevent tachycardia is to maintain a healthy heart and lower your risk of developing heart disease.
Prevent heart disease
Take the following actions to treat or get rid of heart disease risk factors:
Exercise and eat a healthy diet.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
Stop smoking.
Drink in moderation.
Don’t use recreational drugs.
Use over-the-counter medications with caution.
Limit caffeine.
Control stress.
Go to scheduled checkups.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
ACONITUM NAPELLSAlong with palpitations, restlessness, anxiety, and an increased thirst for cold water may also be present, making aconite the best homeopathic treatment for palpitations brought on by sudden fright and anxiety.
AMYELOSUM NITROSUM-Amyelosum nitricum, which has the symptoms of palpitations that worsen with even mild excitement, a constricting sensation in the chest, hot flushes, and extreme anxiety, is effective for treating these symptoms during menopause.
ARSENIC ALBUM –Another of the best natural homeopathic remedies for treating palpitations and anxiety is arsenic album. This remedy is used when there are palpitations and severe anxiety, as well as a marked increase in restlessness and a fear of dying, as well as a desire for fresh air and water.
The best homeopathic treatment for violent palpitations is called aurum met. Patients who need aurum met experience sudden stops and starts in their heartbeat, as well as high blood pressure and an irregular pulse.
The best homeopathic remedy for palpitations brought on by sudden joy as well as those brought on by unexpected pleasant surprises is coffee.
CONVALLARIA MAJ.The best homeopathic treatment for palpitations brought on by tobacco abuse is convallaria. The patient complains of palpitations that feel like the heart is pounding throughout the entire chest, which worsen with even the smallest amount of exertion and a rapid heartbeat.
Crataegus is an excellent antiarrhythmic, sedative in agitated patients with cardiac symptoms. It is a good heart tonic and can be given in all types of heart ailments. It causes extreme dyspnea with the least amount of exertion. Its heart is dilated, and its first sound is weak.
DIGITALIS PURPUREADigitalis is the ideal homeopathic remedy when cardiac rate is lowered and palpitations are primarily excited from the slightest motion. Digitalis is the best natural homeopathic medicine to deal with palpitations with skipped beats. The pulse is irregular and it intermingles. The patient typically feels that the heart will stop its action if they move and it is better at rest.
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