What is Tachycardia?
Tachycardia is an abnormal heart condition characterized by an increased heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute while at rest. This reduces the flow of blood to different parts of the body. If left untreated, tachycardia can disrupt heart function resulting in cardiac failure, stroke, and heart attack.
Types of Tachycardia
Some of the common types of tachycardia include:
- Sinus Tachycardia: In this condition, the natural pacemaker (SA Node) of the heart generates a rapid impulse that increases the heartbeat.
- Atrial or Supraventricular Tachycardia: In this condition, the abnormal electrical impulses causing a rapid heart rate originate in the upper chambers of the heart (atria).
- Ventricular tachycardia: In this condition, the abnormal impulses causing the tachycardia are generated in the ventricles, which are the lower heart chambers.
- Atrial Fibrillation: This condition is a type of atrial tachycardia characterized by a rapid heartbeat and an irregular rhythm.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: In this condition, the ventricles do not pump blood due to the abnormal impulse generated in the ventricles causing rapid and irregular heartbeats.
Causes of Tachycardia
Tachycardia is mainly caused due to the disruption of the normal electrical impulses that interrupts the pumping activity of the heart. This disruption of the electrical impulses may occur in conditions such as:
- Congenital heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hyperthyroidism
- High blood pressure
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Anaemia
- Drug abuse
- Smoking
- Stress
- Strenuous exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Failure in heart surgery
Symptoms of Tachycardia
Symptoms of tachycardia may vary based on its type and cause, and include:
- Hypotension
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
Diagnosis of Tachycardia
Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and based on this a physical examination will be performed. Your doctor may also recommend the following diagnostic tests:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): In this test, electrical activity of the heart is recorded using sensors that are attached to the skin of the chest, arms, and legs.
- Cardiac or treadmill stress test: This test records the heart’s electrical activity while you run on a treadmill. This helps to determine the effects of exercise on the heart.
- Echocardiogram: This test involves viewing the heart’s size, structure, and motion using sound waves.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This scan uses multiple x-rays to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the heart and arteries.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan: This is an imaging study that uses a large magnetic field and radio waves to detect any damage to the heart.
- Angiogram: This is an imaging test that uses a long, thin, flexible catheter that is passed through the bloodstream along with contrast dye to take pictures of blood flow in arteries and veins. This also detects any plaque formation within the blood vessels.
- Holter monitor: Also known as 24-hour ambulatory ECG, the Holter monitor is a type of portable ECG. This test measures the heart’s activity for 24 to 48 hours while performing normal activities.
- Blood Test: This test helps to determine the levels of cholesterol, thyroid dysfunction, and presence of any infection that might be causing the tachycardia.
Treatment for Tachycardia
The main goal of treatment is to slow the rapid heart rate, reduce complications, and to prevent further episodes. The treatment measures may vary based on the type and root cause of the condition. The various options include:
- Medications: Your doctor will prescribe medications such as:
- Beta-blockers: These enhance heart function by reducing blood pressure.
- Antibiotics: These help to treat infection that causes heart damage.
- Lifestyle modifications: Your doctor will recommend:
- Reduce intake of caffeine
- Regular exercise
- Regular health check-ups
- Quitting smoking
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure
- Pacemaker: This device involves the use of a small battery-operated pulse generator that recognizes abnormal heart rhythm and responds by sending electrical impulses to stimulate the heart and produce a normal rhythm.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): This is a small electronic device that is implanted in the chest or under the skin to identify increased heart rate and deliver calibrated shocks to normalize the heartbeat.
- CatheterAblation: This is a non-surgical technique that uses radiofrequency waves to produce heat that is passed through a catheter to destroy abnormal heart tissue and electrical pathways.
- Surgery: Open heart surgery will be performed in some cases to destroy abnormal electrical pathways that are causing tachycardia.
