Make an Appointment
Talk to DoctorOverview
Tachycardia is the medical term used for a heart rate that is faster than normal, or more than 100 beats per minute. The normal heartbeat of an adult is 60 – 100 beats per minute. Not all fast heart rates cause any concern because in some cases the heart rate increases during exercise or response to stress.
Tachycardia can occur as a result of different heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) and may have no signs or symptoms.
If abnormal tachycardia is left untreated, tachycardia can cause serious complication such as stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.
During tachycardia the heart does not have enough time between beats to supply with blood and this can causes the heart to not be able to provide enough blood and oxygen to all of your cells.
Tachycardia can be treated by slowing the heart rate with the vagal maneuver, medication, cardioversion, and surgery.
Types
Tachycardia can comes in many different of types. The term “sinus tachycardia” describes a common increase in heart rate that is frequently brought on by stress or exercise that usually return to normal upon resting or calming down.
Other forms of tachycardia are categorized based on the area of the heart and the underlying factor that caused the increased heart rate. The following list includes typical examples of tachycardia brought on by arrhythmias:
- Atrial fibrillation: is a type of arrhythmia present with chaotic and rapid heartbeats in the heart’s upper chambers, or the atria. Atrial fibrillation may be temporary, but some episodes will not resolve without treatment.
- Atrial flutter: This type is similar to atrial fibrillation, however atrial flutter has more regular heartbeats. Atrial flutter episodes may resolve on their own or may need to be treated. Patients with atrial flutter frequently experience atrial fibrillation.
- Ventricular tachycardia: Ventricles (lower heart chambers) are affected by this type of arrhythmia as they cannot fill and contract fully to pump enough blood to supply the body because of the fast heartbeat. Episodes of ventricular tachycardia that last within few seconds can occur without any harmful effects. However, prolonged episodes that last longer than a few seconds can be life-threatening.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): Arrhythmias that begin above the ventricles are referred to as supraventricular tachycardia. Palpitations, or episodes of a pounding heartbeat that start and stop suddenly are brought on by supraventricular tachycardia.
- Ventricular fibrillation: is an abnormal electrical signal that start from the lower chambers and causes rapid irregular heartbeat. During ventricular fibrillation, the heart cannot supply enough blood to the rest of the body. This is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical attention. Major heart conditions or serious injury are associated with the development of ventricular fibrillation.
Symptoms
Blood may not reach the rest of the body properly if the heart is beating too fast which causes the organs and tissues will not receive enough oxygen that may lead to the following signs and symptoms:
- Palpitations, rapid pulse rate, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
Patient with tachycardia may not develop any symptoms. Some cases tachycardia had been diagnosed during physical assessment or tests for another purpose.
Seek medical help if the patient is experiencing signs and symptoms of tachycardia. Blood pressure can drop significantly due to ventricular fibrillation. Patients may collapse, and the respiration and pulse will eventually stop, therefore emergency emergency medical intervention is needed.
Causes
Tachycardia is the increase in heart rate that could be for any reason, for example physical activity or stress reaction could normally increase the heart rate. Irregular heart rhythm could also cause tachycardia.
The following factors could cause tachycardia:
- High blood pressure or low blood pressure
- Heart disease (cardiac myopathy, heart attack, other heart diseases)
- Fever
- Consuming more caffeine
- Consuming more alcohol or alcohol withdrawal
- Smoking or drug abuse (example cocaine or methamphetamine)
- Side effects of medication
- Electrolytes imbalance (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Excess bleeding or anemia
Risk factors
The following could increase the risk to developing tachycardia:
- Family history: Family member with history of a certain heart problems, or tachycardia.
- Age: The older the patient, it increases the risk for tachycardia.
- Lifestyle: Tobacco, alcohol, or caffeine increase the risk. Stress could trigger tachycardia.
- Other disease: High blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, other heart issues.
Diagnosis
A medical professional would typically perform a physical examination and ask questions regarding the symptoms, lifestyle choices, and medical history to determine whether the patient have tachycardia.
There are many investigations available to help a doctor to confirm the abnormal rapid heartbeat and evaluate for other disorders that could cause of an irregular heart rhythm, doctors will recommend further investigation such as the following:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The electrical activity of the heart is measured by this quick and painless examination. Sensors (electrodes) are attached to the chest, and arms and legs. The length and timing of each electrical phase of the heartbeat are measured by an ECG. Signal patterns can be used to identify the type of tachycardia.
- Holter monitor: To record the heart’s activity during regular activities, this portable ECG can be worn for up to a day.
- Event monitor: A portable ECG which is used for up to 30 days or until the patient experience an arrhythmia or symptoms. Whenever symptoms appear, patient typically click a button.
- Echocardiogram: uses sound waves to produce images of the heartbeat. It can detect issues with blood flow, cardiac valves, and heart muscle.
- Chest X-ray: to determine the condition of the heart and lungs.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): used to identify the origin of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Images of the heart’s blood flow can be obtained from a cardiac MRI either static or in motion.
- Computerized tomography (CT): A more in-depth cross-sectional view of the area is provided by CT scans, which combine numerous X-ray images. If a medical professional needs to find the root of ventricular tachycardia, they may perform a cardiac CT scan.
- Coronary angiogram: is performed to evaluate for constricted or blocked blood arteries in the heart. It shows the interior of the coronary arteries using a dye and specialized X-rays to examine the blood flow to the heart.
If any of these methods cannot detect arrhythmia, the doctor might trigger the arrhythmia with some other tests, including:
- Electrophysiological (EP) testing and mapping: used to pinpoint the location of the heart’s abnormal signaling. Most often, an EP examination is utilized to identify isolated arrhythmias. It can be used to assess sinus tachycardia. A doctor will insert thin catheters tipped with electrode through the blood vessels to various parts of the heart.
- Stress test: measures the heart rate and blood flow of the heart and involves using a treadmill or a stationary cycle while having an ECG taken. A stress test could be used in conjunction with other heart exams. In order to stimulate the heart in a manner similar to exercise, a medication may be used if you have trouble working out.
- Tilt table test: is performed to learn more about the role that tachycardia plays in fainting. While lying flat on a table, the heart rate and blood pressure are recorded. The table is then slanted to a posture that resembles standing while being closely watched. The doctor will observe the heart’s and nervous system’s reactions to positional alterations.
Treatment
Treatment for tachycardia aims to slow an irregular heartbeat when it occurs and prevent future occurrences. Treating the underlying condition may lessen or stop the episodes if the tachycardia is caused by another medical condition.
Treatment to slow down or prevent the recurrence of the tachycardia includes:
- Vagal maneuvers: Affects the vagus nerve to decrease the heartbeat by coughing, applying ice pack to the face, and bearing down during bowel movement. The activities needs to be performed during the episode of tachycardia.
- Medications: Most tachycardia patients receive prescriptions for medications that lower heart rate and return the heart to a normal rhythm. The heart rhythm may need to be restored with medication if vagal maneuvers are unable to slow the rapid heartbeat.
- Cardioversion: Sensors (also known as electrodes) are positioned on the chest to provide electric shocks to the heart. The shock alters the electrical signals sent by the heart and prompts it to beat normally again. Cardioversion is utilized when immediate medical attention is required or when vagal techniques and drugs are ineffective and can also be performed while taking medicine.
- Catheter ablation: A doctor inserts one or more catheters, thin, flexible tubes, through an artery, typically in the groin and directs them to the heart. In order to prevent irregular electrical signals and restore cardiac rhythm, sensors (electrodes) on the catheter’s tip employ heat or cold energy to form tiny scars inside the heart.
- Pacemaker: A small device is inserted beneath the skin around the collarbone, sending electrode-tipped wires from the pacemaker into the blood vessels before guiding them to the inner area of the heart. The electrical impulses of this device help regulate the abnormal heart rate.
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): an ICD is a battery-operated device that is implanted under the skin close to the collarbone which monitors the heart rhythm continuously. The system shocks the patient with low- or high-energy shocks to correct an irregular heartbeat. It is recommended to patient who are at high risk for ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
- Maze procedure: A tiny incision is made at the atria to create a pattern (or maze) of scar tissue. The signals from the heart cannot travel through scar tissue. In order to prevent some types of tachycardia, the maze can block incorrect electrical heart signals.
- Surgery: In some cases, an additional electrical pathway triggering tachycardia may require open heart surgery. Surgery is often only performed when all other therapeutic options have failed or when additional heart conditions require surgery.
