Overview
Tachycardia is a heart condition where the heart rate is faster than normal; a normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute, while tachycardia is over 100 beats per minute. However, during exercise or stressful situations, it is normal to have a faster heart rate; it is only concerning if the heart rate is over a normal rate when at rest.
Causes/Symptoms, Remedies, & Precautions
There are many forms of tachycardia, ranging from affecting the upper chambers of the heart to the sinus node (the heart’s natural pacemaker). Each form has its respective causes, remedies, and precautions. (See the footnotes for clarification of the branches of tachycardia.) Symptoms are typically the same: a fluttering feeling within the chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, etc.
Supraventricular Tachycardia & Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (1)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PVT) are closely related. This arrhythmia occurs in the atria (upper chambers of the heart), causing atrial flutters and A-fib (atrial fibrillation). It is most commonly found in children and infants since they tend to have faster heart rates. Others at risk include women, those who are middle-aged, or those who are constantly under stress and anxiety. Diagnosis for SVT considers family history and electrocardiogram, i.e. EKG/ECG (heart screening). PVT is more unpredictable, so it is recommended that a heart monitor is used. Treatment for SVT/PVT is generally not needed and can be easily stopped through remedies such as a dive reflex (plunging face into ice-cold water). More frequent episodes can be treated through medications or procedures such as cardioversions (shocking the heart),
Sinus Tachycardia (2)
Sinus tachycardia happens when the natural pacemaker of the heart is beating faster than normal. Common causes include stress/anxiety, exercise, fever, etc. More uncommon causes include heart attack/failure, lung disease, severe bleeding, and infection. Those who have anemia, hypotension (low blood pressure), or have a history of heart attacks/failure should also be cautious of having this condition. However, this form of tachycardia is normally regulated on its own due to its commonality. If there is an underlying condition that causes this form of tachycardia, such as anemia, medications prescribed by healthcare professionals help regulate it.
Ventricular Tachycardia (3)
Ventricular tachycardia is arguably the more deadly of the two forms of tachycardia. It can go from manageable to life-threatening within seconds. This occurs in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. Causes include, but are not limited to, medication, heart failure/disease, coronary artery disease, heart abnormalities (e.g., tissue scars), heart surgery, and imbalance of electrolytes. Symptoms of ventricular tachycardia include dizziness, heart palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and even cardiac arrest. Those with a family history of ventricular tachycardia should be tested, and those who have any symptoms and/or causes should be screened as well via electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). Treatments can range from medications prescribed by a doctor or surgery that installs a defibrillator, a device that manages heart rhythm. It is highly important to know that ventricular tachycardia can result in V-fib, which can cause death.
Other Facts & Interesting News
Typically, medications come before surgery, which is logically reasonable. However, a recent study I came across in my research of tachycardia says clinicians are starting to think otherwise. Starting with a catheter ablation (this is essentially putting a tube into the heart) instead of prescribing medications, reduces recurrences of fibrillation and/or heart failure. More information about this study can be found here.
Sources I Used & Where to Learn More
- https://www.tctmd.com/news/first-line-catheter-ablation-works-post-mi-vt-suppression-vanish2
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21800-atrial-tachycardia
- https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/tachycardia
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17616-ventricular-tachycardia
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22108-tachycardia
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/tachycardia–fast-heart-rate
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355127
Footnote
(1) Supraventricular means pertaining to above the ventricles. Paraoxsymal means quick or sudden. As said before, it occurs within the atria, which are the uppermost chambers of the heart (there are four total chambers). The atria fills with blood that travels from the body to the heart, which is then pumped into the lower chambers of the heart.
(2) Sinus is directed to the sinus node of the heart, which again is the natural pacemaker of the heart. The sinus node is where all electrical signals of the heart are regulated to produce a normal heartbeat.
(3) Ventricular means pertaining to the ventricles. The ventricles are the lowermost chambers of the heart. These chambers are responsible for pumping out oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Therefore, if a fibrillation occurs, it could be life-threatening.