Tachycardia Causes Symptoms And When To Seek Emergency Room Treatment
Tachycardia is a resting heart rate that is over 100 beats per minute. Most healthy people have resting heart rates of 60 to 100 beats per minute, but this can vary according to a persons physical condition and age.
In severe cases, the heart may beat as many as 400 times per minute, which can prevent the heart from effectively pumping blood throughout the body.
A person who has Tachycardia may not experience any symptoms, but some patients feel dizzy, out of breath, or have chest pain. Long-term Tachycardia may contribute to fainting spells, heart failure, blood clots, and death.
If you suspect Tachycardia, you should visit the emergency room immediately.
SignatureCare Emergency Center has emergency room locations in the Houston, Bellaire, Mission Bend/Sugar Land, Austin, Stafford, Sugar Land, Paris, Midland, Odessa, Texarkana, College Station/Bryan, Killeen, Spring, Atascocita/Humble, Plano, Lewisville, Pflugerville, and other TX cities. Our ER near you is fully-equipped to take care of you and can treat Tachycardia. Make an appointment today, call, or visit the closest emergency room immediately.
What Can I Expect If I Have Tachycardia
Depending on which type of tachycardia you have, you may have harmless symptoms, very dangerous symptoms or something in between. Medicines and other treatments can help you control your symptoms. You may need to wear a Holter monitor or do electrophysiology testing to see how well your medicine is working.
How long tachycardia lasts
Tachycardia that puts you in danger doesnt go away on its own. Youll need to live a healthier lifestyle and take medicines to control it. You may also need to have a procedure, such as an ablation, to help you manage it.
Outlook for tachycardia
Although medications cant cure tachycardia, they can help you control it. Ablation may be a long-term solution to certain types of tachycardia. Ventricular fibrillation can be fatal without immediate treatment.
When To Evaluate Heart Palpitations
Palpitations are symptoms of everything from short or long-term stress to a variety of arrhythmias . They may feel alarming, but do not always reflect a serious heart condition. Joseph Marine, M.D., vice-director of the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins, starts his evaluation by asking his patients what they hear.
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Racing Heartbeat: Should You See A Doctor
My heart was beating really fast, but I dont have symptoms now. Should I see a doctor?
If youve asked yourself this question, then youve probably noticed your heart skipping a beat, fluttering, or just feeling like its working too hard inside your chest, neck, or throat.
Everyone has a racing heart from time to time. Stress, exercise, or even too much alcohol or caffeine can cause your heart to beat faster than normal.
But if your heart races a lotor if you notice your heartbeat is often irregularthen you should see a doctor.
Even though most racing heartbeats are caused by common situations , some irregular heartbeats are caused by serious heart conditions like atrial fibrillation. People who have these conditions need monitoring and treatment from a cardiologist .
Tachycardia Treatment At Home: How To Treat Rapid Heart Rate Naturally
Tachycardia can be concerning because it signals an abnormality however, it can be addressed with various treatments, including tachycardia treatment at home.
Tachycardia is a condition where the hearts rhythm is unusually fast. When you experience a fast heart rate, you can be diagnosed with tachycardia. Of course, rapid heart rate can be associated with strenuous exercise, but tachycardia occurs when the heart rate is fast while you are at rest.
Tachycardia happens when there is a disturbance in the normal electrical pathways of your heart. In some situations, this condition does not cause any symptoms, but when left untreated, it can impact normal heart function and lead to complications, such as heart failure, stroke, or cardiac arrest. While some drugs and medical procedures can address the symptoms, tachycardia treatment at home is also possible.
Here we explore tachycardia home remedies, which include diet and other lifestyle adjustments.
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Herbal Remedies For Tachycardia
So, if you are wondering how to stop tachycardia naturally, there is no magic solution. What we can tell you is that there are some tachycardia herbal remedies that have been effective for some people.
Many herbs have been traditionally used to treat heart palpitations, but some people have reported that they help ease stress levels. And as we have established, stress can trigger tachycardia.
Here are some potential herbs for tachycardia:
- Motherwort : Long considered a remedy for anxiety, it is believed that the alkaloids that are in this herb can calm the nervous system, making it a natural cure for tachycardia, especially cases where the rapid heart rate is triggered by stress. A note of caution though, this herb should not be used if you are pregnant.
- Passion Flower : This herb promotes relaxation and also has anti-anxiety properties. The flavonoids in Passion Flower may account for these properties.
- Valerian : The valerian root is known for its sedative effects but it can also help with fast heartbeat. Some studies suggest that valerian makes for a good tachycardia herbal treatment because it may bind to GABA-A receptors, which regulate sedation. Being more relaxed means less stress.
- Cordyceps: This herb is used a lot in traditional Chinese medicine and may slow heart rate.
Causes Of Supraventricular Tachycardia
An episode of supraventricular tachycardia occurs when abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start in the upper chambers of the heart, and override the heart’s natural rhythm.
SVT is sometimes called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia . Paroxysm means a sudden temporary disturbance of heart rhythm.
PSVT is usually caused by a short circuit in the electrical system of the heart, which causes an electrical signal to travel rapidly and continuously around in a circle, forcing the heart to beat each time it completes the circuit.
Another type of SVT is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, where an abnormal electrical connection occurs between the atria and ventricles . People with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome are born with a strand of extra muscle tissue between these chambers. This produces a short circuit, which causes the fast heartbeat.
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Tachycardia Types Causes And Complications
Although some types of tachycardia are mild, ventricular tachycardia can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Sinus tachycardia
- Rapid firing of the sinoatrial node the natural pacemaker of the heart when the body needs extra oxygen
- Occurs normally in response to:
- Exercise
- Stimulants
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- Bouts of rapid, regular heart beating that originate in the atrium
- Typically not life-threatening
- Rapid heart beat originating in the ventricles
- Less blood to be pumped through the body
- Most often caused by other heart or vascular problems, such as:
- Scar tissue that forms around the heart after a heart attack or heart surgery
Atrial Or Supraventricular Tachycardia
Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia is a fast heart rate that starts in the upper chambers of the heart. Some forms of this particular tachycardia are paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia .
With atrial or supraventricular tachycardia, electrical signals in the hearts upper chambers fire abnormally. This interferes with electrical impulses coming from the sinoatrial node, the hearts natural pacemaker.
The disruption results in a faster than normal heart rate. This rapid heartbeat keeps the hearts chambers from filling completely between contractions, which compromises blood flow to the rest of the body.
A profile for atrial or SVT
In general, those most likely to have atrial or supraventricular tachycardia are:
- Children
- Women, to a greater degree than men
- Anxious young people
In extreme cases, those suffering with atrial or SVT may also experience:
- Unconsciousness
Treatment for Atrial or SVT
If you have atrial or SVT, its possible that you wont need treatment.
But if the episodes are prolonged, or recur often, your doctor may recommend treatment, including:
- Some medicinal and street drugs
Other, less common causes may include:
- Anemia
- Heart muscle damage from heart attack or heart failure
- Severe bleeding
Approach to treatment
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What Are Palpitations
Palpitations are characterized as a general or heightened awareness of your own heartbeat whether its too fast, too slow, or otherwise irregular. You might feel like your heart is thumping, racing, or fluttering. And you could feel this sensation in your chest or your neck.
I ask them to tap out what their heartbeat feels like. Then I get a sense of whether were dealing with isolated skipped beats or a more sustained arrhythmia, says Marine. Patients frequently will feel their skipped beats more at night, when theyre lying in bed and nothing is distracting them from it.
What You Can Do
Make a list ahead of time that you can share with your health care provider. Your list should include:
- Any symptoms, including those that may seem unrelated to your heart
- Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes
- All medications you take and the dosages, including vitamins and supplements and drugs bought without a prescription
- Questions to ask your health care provider
Basic questions to ask your health care provider include:
- What is the likely cause of my fast heart rate?
- What kinds of tests are needed?
- What’s the most appropriate treatment?
- What kind of risks does my heart condition create?
- How will we monitor my heart?
- How often will I need follow-up appointments?
- How will other conditions I have or medications I take affect my heart problem?
- Do I need to restrict my activities?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your health care provider, don’t hesitate to ask additional questions.
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Treatment Of Fast Heart Rate
Treat the Underlying Cause: Most important is to ensure there is no underlying systemic problem that is causing the fast heart rate. If there is anemia, for example, that will need to be treated. Infection and dehydration would need to be treated. Hormonal imbalances would require treating. Medications will be reviewed and any potential offending agents will need to be stopped if possible.
Medications: It is important not just to treat a number the reason underlying must be sought out. If the fast heart rate is thought to be from a cardiac cause then the appropriate treatment should be given. If there is significant muscle dysfunction then treatment aimed at strengthening the heart is given. If there are problems with the electrical system of the heart then medicines to slow the rate may be given such a beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. In some cases stronger medicines that prevent the occurrence of the arrhythmia in the first place may be prescribed, known as anti-arrhythmic medications. Specialists known as electrophysiologists typically prescribe anti-arrhythmic medications.
What Causes Atrial Fibrillation
When the heart beats normally, its muscular walls tighten and squeeze to force blood out and around the body.
They then relax so the heart can fill with blood again. This process is repeated every time the heart beats.
In atrial fibrillation, the heart’s upper chambers contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between contractions. This reduces the heart’s efficiency and performance.
Atrial fibrillation happens when abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the atria.
These impulses override the heart’s natural pacemaker, which can no longer control the rhythm of the heart. This causes you to have a highly irregular pulse rate.
The cause is not fully understood, but it tends to affect certain groups of people, such as older people and people living with long-term conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or obesity.
It may be triggered by certain situations, such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking.
Atrial fibrillation can be defined in various ways, depending on the degree to which it affects you.
For example:
- paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes come and go, and usually stop within 48 hours without any treatment
- persistent atrial fibrillation each episode lasts for longer than 7 days
- permanent atrial fibrillation when it’s present all the time
- long-standing atrial fibrillation where you’ve had atrial fibrillation usually for over a year
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Sometimes Comfort And Reassurance Are The Best Medicine
While palpitations can sometimes signal a more serious condition, theyre often just a sensation of a normal heartbeat, says Marine. Confirming that nothing is seriously wrong is sometimes all a person needs. Relaxation techniques and reassurance from a physician I find that both are very helpful when the cause of palpitations is benign.
Urgent Advice: Call 999 If:
You have sudden chest pain that:
- spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
- makes your chest feel tight or heavy
- also started with shortness of breath, sweating and feeling or being sick
- lasts more than 15 minutes
You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital.
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What Is A Rapid Heartbeat
A rapid heartbeat, or tachycardia, is a condition in which the heart is beating fast, generally more than 100 beats per minute for an adult. A rapid heartbeat can be normal, or it can result from a disease, disorder or other harmful condition.
The heart pumps blood to the lungs and the rest of the body by contracting its four chambers. The two upper chambers are the atria and the two lower chambers are the ventricles. The sinus node, a small group of cells in your right atrium, transmits an electrical impulse through the heart, causing the atria to contract. The impulse travels through the ventricles, enabling them to contract and pump blood throughout the body. The number of times the heart beats per minute is called the heart rate. The rate of these contractions is determined by nerve impulses and hormones in the blood.
The rate at which your heart beats varies continuously, rising and falling in response to many conditions and situations. For example, your heart rate will rise during strenuous activity in order to ensure that all the cells of the body receive sufficient amounts of oxygen-rich blood. The heartbeat may also become faster in response to stressful situations or when you are in pain. Your heartbeat is normally lower during periods of relaxation or sleep. The average adult resting heart rate falls within the range of 60 to 80 beats per minute.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arrhythmia
Some patients have no associated symptoms with arrhythmia, while others may notice symptoms but not have a life-threatening arrhythmia. It is important to have regular check-ups with your GP, especially if you are concerned.
Common symptoms of a heart arrhythmia include:
- Fluttering feeling in the chest
- Racing heartbeat
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What Are The Long
The outlook for children with SVT is excellent. The problem is usually not life- threatening and there are safe and effective treatments available. Exercise guidelines: Exercise guidelines are best made by a patient’s doctor so that all relevant factors can be included. Usually no activity restrictions are necessary for children with SVT and the child may participate in all physical activities including competitive athletics. If an episode occurs during competition, the child should remove himself from participation until the arrhythmia is converted. Also, activities that involve climbing or heights should be avoided since an episode may cause dizziness leading to a fall. See the section on Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome for exercise information specific to this sub-type.
References
Dick M., O’Connor B, Serwer G, LeRoy S, Armstrong B. Use of radiofrequency energy to ablate accessory connections in children. Circulation 1991 84:2318-24. LeRoy S. & Dick M. Supraventricular tachycardia. In Zeigler VL & Gillette P, eds. Practical management of pediatric cardiac arrhythmias. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co. 2001: 53-109. Weindling SN, Saul JP & Walsh EP. Efficacy and risks of medical therapy for supraventricular tachycadia in neonates and infants. Am Heart J 1996 131:66.Written by: S. LeRoy RN, MSN, CPNP. Reviewed by: M. Dick, MD, Peter Fischbach Reviewed September, 2012
Fast Heart Rate Overview And Conclusion
A fast heart rate although often defined as a heart rate over 90 is not necessarily abnormal and each case is different. History, physical exam and diagnostic testing are required in order to determine the significance of the heart rate and to see if any treatment is required. Treatment for non-cardiac causes of fast heart rate is to address the underlying cause. In the case of cardiac causes of fast heart rate, typically medication will be tried first or in some cases a procedure required particularly if the problem is with the electrical system of the heart.
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What Is Lee Health’s Approach
Lee Health has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating tachycardias using the latest technique appropriate for each individual.
Our integrated team includes doctors trained in medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment for diseases of the heart including, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and cardiac and cardiovascular surgeons.
Narrowed Arteries And Heart Valves:
An Arrhythmia in a person can cause Tachycardia or Bradycardia, thereby causing the heart to pump more blood to meet the bodys demand for oxygen-rich blood. Also, when the heart valves and arteries around the aortic region are narrowed, the same effect is exhibited, thereby reducing the amount of blood reaching the heart muscles and brain.
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Types Of Rapid Heart Rate
The heart has a specialized electrical conduction system that starts in a group of cells called the sinus node. It is located in the right atrium, one of the heart’s upper chambers.
The sinus node fires off a stimulus that travels through the heart in a very specific way to cause the muscle to contract. The result is an organized contraction that pumps blood most efficiently. This is called sinus rhythm.
Sometimes, the electrical stimulus gets caught in a feedback loop. Or, it originates from somewhere outside of the sinus node and results in arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can be treated with medications, or by special procedures such as cardiac ablation.
Electrocardiograms can differentiate normal sinus rhythm from various arrhythmias.