Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

A heart rate over 100 beats per minute is called "tachycardia". Numerous abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, can cause tachycardia.

Not every fast heartbeat poses a threat. For instance, heart rate typically rises in response to stress or physical exertion.

There's a chance that tachycardia is symptomless. If left untreated, certain forms of tachycardia can lead to serious health problems like heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.

To slow down an irregular heartbeat, tachycardia can be treated with specific activities, medications, cardioversion, or surgery.

Causes Of Tachycardia

Tachycardia is the term for an increased heart rate for any cause. It could be a usual stress response (sinus tachycardia) or an increase in heart rate brought on by physical exertion. Sinus tachycardia is not considered a sickness, but rather an indication.

Tachycardia can also result from an arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat.

The following conditions may result in tachycardia:

• Fever
• Overindulgence in alcohol consumption or alcohol withdrawal
• Increased caffeine levels
• Increased or decreased blood pressure
• Imbalance of the electrolyte (potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium) molecules in blood
• Adverse effects of medication
• Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid
• A decrease in red blood cell content, or anemia, which is often caused by bleeding
• Using stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, which are illegal narcotics
• Smoking

Symptoms Of Tachycardia

If the heart beats too fast, it might not pump enough blood to the body's other organs. This could lead to insufficient oxygen reaching the tissues and organs.

In general, tachycardia can result in the signs and symptoms listed below:

• Palpitations are characterized by a pounding, fast heartbeat or fluttering sensation in the chest.
• Chest pain
• Syncope
• Lightheadedness
• Rapid heart rate
• Having trouble breathing

Others have tachycardia but show no symptoms. The problem can be identified when cardiac testing or a physical examination is done for another reason

Also Read: Vasovagal Syncope: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Types Of Tachycardia

There are several different types of tachycardia. The word for a typical heart rate increase that is usually caused by stress or effort is sinus tachycardia.

The classification of other types of tachycardia is dependent on the location of the heart and the underlying cause of the fast heartbeat. Common types of tachycardia caused by irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, include:

• Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib: The most common type of tachycardia is this one. The atria, the heart's upper chambers, produce unpredictable, chaotic electrical signals that cause a rapid heartbeat. Without medical intervention, some Afib episodes may cease on their own, but others might not.
• Atrial flutter: Atrial flutter and Afib are similar disorders, although atrial flutter has more regular heartbeats. Episodes of atrial fibrillation may or may not resolve on their own and require medical care. Those with atrial flutter during other periods often have atrial fibrillation.
• Ventricular tachycardia: This type of arrhythmia starts in the ventricles, the lowest cardiac chambers. The body cannot receive adequate blood flow from the ventricles because they cannot fill and contract rapidly enough. Ventricular tachycardia episodes are benign and typically last a few seconds or less. On the other hand, incidents lasting longer than a few seconds could be quite dangerous.
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): Supraventricular tachycardia is the name given to an arrhythmia that originates above the ventricles themselves. One sign of supraventricular tachycardia is palpitations or abrupt increases in heart rate.
• Ventricular fibrillation: The ventricles tremble due to fast and chaotic electrical signals rather than contracting in a coordinated manner. This serious problem may be fatal if the heart rhythm isn't stabilized within minutes. Usually, a significant trauma (such as being struck by lightning) or an underlying heart disease causes ventricular fibrillation.

Also Read: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: How to Perform CPR, Types of CPR

Risk Factors Of Tachycardia

Generally speaking, age or a family history of particular cardiac rhythm problems may increase the chance of arrhythmias, which are irregularities of the heart rhythm that often cause tachycardia.

Making lifestyle changes or getting treatment for related heart conditions or other disorders can lower the chance of tachycardia.

Diagnosis Of Tachycardia

A doctor would often perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms, health-related behaviors, and medical history to diagnose tachycardia.

Diagnostic techniques, such as cardiac imaging tests, can be performed to confirm an abnormally rapid pulse and search for disorders that may lead to an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The following are a few possible tests to identify tachycardia:

• ECG or EKG is another name for a cardiogram: This quick and simple test determines the heart's electrical activity. During an ECG, sensors or electrodes may be attached to the arms or legs. An ECG measures each electrical phase of a heartbeat's duration and timing. Your healthcare professional can look at signal patterns to determine the type of tachycardia and the possible reason for the fast heartbeat.
• Holter monitor: Your physician might suggest that you keep an eye on your heart rate at home. You may monitor your heart's activity for up to a day while you go about your regular business with this portable ECG equipment.
• Event monitor: Wearing this portable ECG device is recommended for a maximum of 30 days, or until symptoms or an arrhythmia manifest. Usually, you press a button as soon as the symptoms appear.
• Echocardiography: Sound waves are used in echocardiography to produce images of the beating heart. It can detect issues with cardiac muscle, heart valves, and blood flow.
• CT imaging of the chest: The condition of the heart and lungs can be seen on a chest X-ray.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): With a cardiac MRI, images of the heart's blood flow—whether it is stagnant or beating—can be captured. The most frequent purpose of this test is to locate the source of tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
• CT stands for computed tomography: By combining several X-ray pictures, a CT scan offers a more comprehensive cross-sectional view of the region under investigation. To determine the cause of ventricular tachycardia, a physician may prescribe a cardiac CT scan.
• Coronary angiography: A coronary angiography is used to check for narrowed or clogged cardiac blood vessels. It uses special X-rays and a dye to show the inside of the coronary arteries. A coronary angiography may be done on individuals with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation to assess the blood flow to the heart.
• Electrophysiology testing and mapping (EP): This test, often called an EP study, can be used to confirm a diagnosis of tachycardia or to locate the faulty signals in the heart. The diagnosis of isolated arrhythmias is the main purpose of an EP investigation. While less common, it can be used to evaluate sinus tachycardia.
• A medical practitioner inserts thin, flexible tubes, or catheters, into blood vessels and different parts of the heart to conduct this test. The tubes are topped with electrodes. Once the electrodes are in place, they can map the electrical signal distribution throughout the heart.
• Stress test: Depending on the type, exercise can either induce or worsen tachycardia. During a stress test, the heart is often monitored while riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. It is possible to combine a stress test with other cardiac examinations. If exercise is difficult for you, a medicine that stimulates the heart in a similar way to exercise may be utilized.
• Tilt table test: On rare occasions, this test is performed to look into the connection between tachycardia and fainting. Heart rate and blood pressure are measured while the patient is flat on a table. Then the table tilted so that it looks like it is being viewed closely. The physician watches as the heart and the nervous system that controls it respond to the shifts in posture.

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Treatment Of Tachycardia

The goals of treatment for tachycardia are to slow down an already rapid heartbeat and prevent further episodes of high heart rate.

If another medical condition is the cause of tachycardia, treating that illness may diminish or eliminate instances of rapid heartbeat.

reducing a rapid heartbeat

A higher heart rate might go down on its own. On occasion, though, medications or other medical treatments may be needed to slow the heartbeat.

Among the techniques for reducing an elevated heart rate are:

• Vagal maneuver: Vagal maneuvers include coughing, applying an ice pack to the face, and bending down as if having a bowel movement. If you have an episode of rapid heartbeat, your healthcare provider may advise you to adhere to these specific guidelines. These actions affect the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the heart.
• Medicines: If vagal movements fail to calm the heart's rapid pounding, medication may be necessary to get the heart back in rhythm.
• Cardioversion: During this medical procedure, the heart is frequently shocked with electric shocks using sensors (electrodes) placed on the chest. The shock modifies the electrical signals in the heart to reestablish a normal heartbeat. When medication and vagal manipulations don't work or when immediate medical attention is required, cardioversion is typically utilized. Moreover, it is required to do cardioversion with medications.

The goal of treating tachycardia is to slow down the heart's abnormally fast heartbeat. Medication, implanted devices, and other treatments or procedures could fall under this category.

• Medications: Expect that the majority of people with tachycardia would benefit from medication that lowers heart rate and returns the heart to a normal rhythm.
• Dilating with a catheter: A medical professional inserts one or more thin, flexible tubes, known as catheters, into an artery, typically in the groin, and points them in the direction of the heart to carry out this treatment. The catheter's electrode sensors use heat or cold energy to make tiny incisions in the heart that block abnormal electrical impulses and control heart rhythm. It is frequently employed when an additional signaling channel is the cause of an elevated fever.
• Catheter ablation can be carried out in conjunction with other cardiac operations, even though it doesn't require cardiac surgery to access the heart.
• A pacemaker: A pacemaker is a device surgically implanted under the skin in the chest area. When the device notices an irregular heartbeat, it sends out an electrical pulse to help the heart return to its normal rhythm.
• Cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation: Your doctor may recommend this device if you have a high risk of tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
• Similar to a pacemaker, an ICD is a battery-powered gadget positioned near the collarbone under the skin. The ICD continuously monitors the heart rhythm. The device uses low- or high-energy shocks to shock the heart back into rhythm if it detects an abnormal heartbeat.
• Maze procedure: Through microscopic incisions made in the atria, the upper part of the heart, a surgeon forms a pattern, or maze, of scar tissue during this process. The signals coming from the heart are blocked by scar tissue. Accordingly, by obstructing abnormal electrical heart signals, the maze can stop some types of tachycardia.
• Surgery: When tachycardia occurs, it could be necessary to perform open heart surgery to block an extra electrical pathway. When all other options have been exhausted or when treating another cardiac issue is required, surgery is usually the last option.

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Prevention Of Tachycardia

Preventing heart disease and maintaining cardiac health are the best defenses against tachycardia. If you are a patient with heart disease, monitor your condition and follow your treatment plan. Make sure you understand your treatment plan and are taking your medications as prescribed.

Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease may help prevent cardiac arrhythmias, which can result in tachycardia. Carry out the following steps:

• Maintain a well-balanced diet: Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and dairy products with low fat. Reduce the amount of alcohol, sugar, salt, and trans and saturated fats you consume.
• Exercise often: Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days.
• Maintaining the proper weight: The chance of getting heart disease is higher in those who are overweight.
• Maintain appropriate levels of cholesterol and blood pressure: To manage hypertension or high cholesterol, change your lifestyle and take your meds as prescribed.
• Avoid smoking: Consult with your healthcare provider about smoking cessation programs or strategies if you smoke and find it tough to quit on your end.
• Drink only in moderation: Use alcohol moderately if you choose to drink it. Accordingly, for healthy adults, this equates to no more than one drink for women and two for men each day. If any of your medical conditions are listed below, it is recommended that you completely avoid alcohol. Discuss your specific issue with your healthcare provider for advice.
• Avoid using stimulants or other illegal drugs such as cocaine.
• Take medication as prescribed: An irregular pulse may result from stimulants found in several medications used to treat coughs and colds. Consult your healthcare provider about which medications are off-limits to you.
• Consume less caffeine: If you drink coffee-containing beverages, try to stick to no more than one or two daily.
• Manage your stress: Seek out techniques to reduce emotional stress. A few methods to reduce stress include getting more exercise, practicing meditation, and connecting with people in support groups.
• Go to the scheduled examinations: Schedule routine physical exams and report any changes in your heartbeat to your healthcare provider. If your symptoms worsen, change, or manifest in unexpected ways, immediately inform your healthcare provider.

Complications Of Tachycardia

Complications from tachycardia depend on:

• The type of tachycardia
• The heart's rhythm
• The duration of the rapid heartbeat
• If there are any other cardiovascular disorders
• A blood clot raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke in some people with tachycardia (the risk is greatest in those with atrial fibrillation). Your doctor might advise you to take a blood thinner to lower your risk.

Other potential consequences of tachycardia include the following:

• Periodic unconsciousness or syncope
• The inability of the heart to pump enough blood is known as heart failure.
• Unexpected death, usually associated only with tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation

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