What Causes Ventricular Tachycardia
Your heart rate is controlled by electrical signals that move across the heart muscle. When something goes wrong and signals are sent too quickly, it can cause tachycardia. Most patients with ventricular tachycardia have another heart problem, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, an enlarged heart or heart valve disease. The condition can also develop after a heart attack or heart surgery because of scar tissue that forms on the heart. Other, non-heart-related causes of ventricular tachycardia include some medications, an imbalance in electrolytes , too much caffeine or alcohol, recreational drugs, exercise, and certain genetically transmitted conditions. Sometimes the cause is unknown. You are also more likely to have ventricular tachycardia as you get older or if you have a family history of heart rhythm disorders.
What Is My Role In Checking Out My Fast Heart Rate
If you are concerned about an elevated heart rate, make sure you arent currently dehydrated, and that you are being treated properly for any related medical condition.
If youve accounted for common causes of an elevated heart rate including reducing or eliminating caffeine and are still experiencing symptoms, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Resting Heart Rate : Everything You Need To Know
Originally published July 6, 2016 3:58 pm, updated August 18, 2021
One of the easiest and maybe most effective ways to gauge your health and aerobic fitness level is via your resting heart rate . By measuring it regularly, you can see both your long-term progress and daily fluctuations, which can indicate whether youre fit for training, overtrained, or stressed. Heres everything you need to know to understand what affects RHR and why it matters.
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What Are The Treatment Options
Vagal Maneuvers
Your heartbeat is regulated by the vagal nerve. Maneuvers, which affect vagal nerve are heaving , coughing and putting an ice pack on your face.
Medicine
You can take antiarrhythmic drugs either orally or get them injected. They make the heartbeat normal. The drugs are given in a hospital. The drugs that are available control heart rate restore normal rhythm of heart or do both. Sometimes, you may need more than one drug to control your tachycardia.
Cardioversion
An electric shock is given to heart using patches or paddles. The electrical impulses of the heart are affected by this and this helps in restoring normal rhythm. This is done in hospital.
Why Does My Heart Rate Spike When I’m Asleep
Your body undergoes a number of important recuperative processes during sleep, from cell renewal to muscle repair to restorative brain activity.
Changes in breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate occur as well. These actions are essential to your long-term health. While having a slight fluctuation in heart rate during sleep is normal, it is important to understand the causes of more noticeable spikes in your heartâs number of beats per minute.
Sleep apnea and heart rate fluctuation
A common cause of a rising heart rate during sleep is a lack of oxygen, which is often brought on by obstructive sleep apnea. This is a condition where a personâs normal breathing frequency is reduced or sometimes flat-out stopped during sleep. The effort to breathe persists, but with the upper airway blocked, oxygen levels drop and carbon dioxide levels rise.
These blockages involve the softening of the muscles around the throat, soft palate, uvula, and tongue base. When the occurrence of these interruptionsâreferred to as apneasâare in excess , a formal diagnosis of sleep apnea from a doctor may follow.
When breathing ceases during sleep, the brain recognizes that things arenât right, and wakes the sleeping person up, kickstarting normal breathing functions once again. Not only is a personâs sleep quality compromised because of sleep apnea, they also cause the heart to beat faster than usual
Heart rate and oxygen levels
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Diagnosis Of Sudden Rapid Heart Beat
The suddenness of PSVT makes it difficult to diagnose. Doctors need to catch an episode, or see the unusual heartbeat, on an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor before they can make a definitive diagnosis. With PSVT episodes being sporadic, occurring randomly and sometimes mere minutes in length, this can be hard. On average, diagnosis can take three years or longer and may be fraught with misdiagnoses.
For Smith, it was nearly 10 years before she had answers. PSVTs symptoms may masquerade as anxiety or panic attacks. Smith was first prescribed an anti-anxiety medication when she experienced a sudden rapid heart beat. While seeking out a diagnosis, patients like her are often left thinking it may be all in their heads and wondering if theyre going crazy. They understandably struggle with how to convey this seemingly invisible illness to friends, family, coworkers and their doctors.
The uncertainty of living with PSVT is equally challenging, if not more so, than the physical symptoms, said Dr. Kathryn Wood, associate professor at Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Emory University, who has published research on the emotional toll of PSVT, on women in particular, in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. It looms over you, affecting self-esteem and causing you to avoid daily activities such as driving, work and time with family and friends.
The difference is night and day when you resolve to take control of your health, Smith said.
My Heart Rate Climbs Very High On Runs Should I Be Concerned
How to monitor your heart rate, and when to worry.
Im a 53 year old woman, 57 and 160lbs. I began a walk/run routine two years ago and recently progressed to all running, completing my first 5K this month.
While using a heart rate monitor while running, Ive found my heart rate averages 140-150bpm, and climbs to 168-178pm when racing. I felt slightly tired while racing hills, but that was to be expected since I rarely run hills. Is my heart rate too high, even though I feel fine?
Vanessa
Vanessa-
As you have already discovered, heart rate monitors provide useful data about our heart rate response to exercise and training however, there are some discrepancies, especially when using the general heart rate formulas. The problem is that general formula begins with the number of 220 and then you subtract your agebecause in general, the average heart slows about one beat per yearfor your maximum heart rate result. These general assumptions give us a ball park figure, but are hardly accurate enough to base your training on.
One of the most important gifts running gives us is learning about our bodies. Enjoy that gift and use it wisely by listening to the signals and obeying them. Always listen to your body for the best training results.
All the best,
Susan Paul, MS
Susan Paul has coached more than 2,000 runners and is an exercise physiologist and program director for the Orlando Track Shack Foundation. For more information, visit www.trackshack.com.
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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
- Alternative medicine including yoga, meditation or relaxation techniques
Treatment for abnormally fast heart rhythms
Generally, patients with abnormally fast heart rhythms can be treated with drugs that slow the heart rate or may be treated with a procedure, known as catheter ablation. This involves passing a catheter up through a vein into the heart and burning away the small regions of the heart that are causing the arrhythmia.
Treatment for abnormally slow heart rhythms
Patients with abnormally slow heart rates are most effectively treated with an electronic pacemaker which sends regular electrical signals to the heart to ensure that it beats at a normal rate.
Is A Fast Heart Rate Always A Cause For Concern
There are several different possible causes of an elevated heart rate. While some causes are more worrisome to cardiologists, there are other causes that can be addressed by making lifestyle changes. Some of these include excitement , dehydration, and even the consumption of nicotine or energy drinks.
There are times that having an elevated heart rate makes sense. For instance, if you are fighting a fever or getting over the flu, or are in the process of recovering from a surgery, a fast heart rate is your bodys way of saying it is working. Its important to monitor your heart rate during these times, but do not become immediately alarmed.
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Fast Heart Rate And Age
Concern regarding a fast heart rate is going to differ based on the patients age and health. As a general rule, the younger you are, the lower your resting heart rate. As you get older, your resting heart rate increases. Interestingly, however, there are some patients who experience faster and slower heart rates at the same time. This phenomenon can be seen across many age groups. Thus, cause for concern is not 100% definable by age.
Heart Rate Suddenly Jumps: Why And How To Help
Under normal conditions, a healthy adults heart rate range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. There may be a sudden occasional increase in heart beat, which resolves in a couple of minutes. The condition is referred to as tachycardia and is generally harmless. However, if your increased heart beat is recurring or persistent or if other symptoms are also present, then you should consult a physician.
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What Is Treatment Like
Treatment is typically the same post-COVID as if they didnt have COVID-19. Even with these symptoms, we find that most patients recover back to a normal state after some time and without any type of treatment, says Dr. Hansalia.
But there are indications that some post-COVID patients are experiencing serious complications such as atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots, stroke or heart failure. Weve found atrial fibrillation to be a bit more common after COVID-19 infection, and we believe its from the inflammatory state that COVID-19 causes, says Dr. Hansalia.
Postural tachycardia syndrome , which is when a persons heart rate increases abruptly after standing, has also been seen in post-COVID patients.
These complications can occur in anyone in the post-COVID recovery phase but are more common in patients who had a myocardial or heart injury while infected with COVID-19 or in patients with pre-existing conditions.
Its understandable to want to get back to normal life as soon as possible after a COVID-19 diagnosis, but check with your doctor if you notice any worrying symptoms, especially ones that are new to you.
Tips For Improved Sleep
When youre sound asleep, your body is wide awake. Welcome its feedback, listen closely to what it has to say, and take steps towards optimizing your sleep.
Use the following tips to help boost your sleep routine:
- Try to wake up at the same time seven days a week.
- Time your meals mindfully late meals may show up as the Downward Slope.
- If your sleep pattern is optimal , take notes. Think about what you did the previous day and continue to make similar choices.
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Question From A Reader: Why Does My Heart Rate Spike At The Start Of A Run
A lot of people who run with heart rate monitors often see their heart rate spike at the beginning of a run, only to subside after a mile or two. This kind of spike only happens if you didnt warm up long enough.
- If the body isnt warmed up, there is little blood flow to the muscles .
- For a short period of time, the muscles have to work anaerobically, increasing the heart rate.
- The body rushes to shunt blood away from the organs and towards the muscles. This is a major stressor.
- The spike in heart rate subsides when increased blood flow allows the muscles to work aerobically.
- Therefore, the spike itself is an indicator that your heart rate was inadequate.
- It takes 12-15 minutes for the body to warm up properly.
Before starting a bout of exercise, our bodys internal machinery is largely inactive. The metabolism is working at a very low level, the big muscles are relatively quiet, and blood is moving largely within the corecycling through the various organs, and back to the heart and lungs.
Muscles are fed by vast networks of capillariestiny blood vessels existing within the muscles themselveswhich ensure that blood goes to and from every muscle cell. During rest, the majority of these capillaries are constricted. Very little blood goes in or out of the muscles.
The observed spike in heart rate is a direct indicator of increased anaerobic activity.
That amounts to a lot of unnecessary stress.
The solution: warm-up for longer.
What Will Your Doctor Do
These symptoms can be caused by simple dehydration or by being out of shape after battling COVID-19. But your doctor will want to evaluate any new heart symptoms that youre experiencing.
This evaluation could include:
- A clinical exam, checking for dehydration among other things
- Wearing a portable electrocardiogram for 24 hours to monitor your heart rate and rhythm
- An echocardiograman ultrasound of your heartto look for cardiac damage
- Taking your orthostatic blood pressure, which means checking your blood pressure in a lying, sitting and standing position
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Sudden Increased Heart Rate
Normally, an adult’s heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute. You may experience an occasional sudden increase in heart rate that resolves within a few minutes. This is known as a heart palpitation, and it is usually not harmful. If your palpitations are persistent, recurring or if they happen along with other symptoms, you should see your doctor promptly.
What Is A Normal Resting Heart Rate
For a well-trained athlete, their resting heart rate will usually be around 40 beats per minute.
For adults, a normal RHR ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, although most people who are relaxed and healthy should be below 90. For a well-trained athlete, their RHR will usually be below this, around 40 beats per minute. This is because a lower RHR is often a sign of good cardiovascular fitness and efficient heart function.
However, you shouldnt compare your RHR with someone elses. Youre unique and beautiful and thats how it should be. While your neighbors RHR might be lower than yours, it might be for a dozen different reasons.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, youre better off monitoring how your RHR is changing over time. When your resting heart rate decreases as a result of training, its a sign that your aerobic fitness has improved.
Take that, neighbor.
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When To See A Doctor
Heart palpitations don’t always signal a serious problem. As mentioned, they are often a result of simple changes to position or effects of outside stimulants, like coffee. On the other hand, there are times when it may indicate a serious medical concern. So when should you worry and see the doctor?
If you experience any of these symptoms regularly along with rapid heartbeat contact your doctor:
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet
What Are The Risk Factors For Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
PSVT affects about 1 in every 2,500 children. It is the most frequent abnormal heart rhythm in newborns and infants. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is the most common type of PSVT in children and infants.
PSVT is more common in adults under age 65. Adults over age 65 are more likely to have atrial fibrillation .
In a normal heart, the sinus node directs electrical signals through a specific pathway. This regulates the frequency of your heartbeats. An extra pathway, often present in supraventricular tachycardia, can lead to the abnormally fast heartbeat of PSVT.
There are certain medications that make PSVT more likely. For example, when taken in large doses, the heart medication digitalis can lead to episodes of PSVT. The following actions can also increase your risk of having an episode of PSVT:
- ingesting caffeine
- anxiety
- shortness of breath
In more serious cases, PSVT can cause dizziness and even fainting due to poor blood flow to the brain.
Sometimes, a person experiencing symptoms of PSVT may confuse the condition with a heart attack. This is especially true if its their first PSVT episode. If your chest pain is severe you should always go to the emergency room for testing.
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Treating Supraventricular Tachycardia In Hospital
SVT is rarely life threatening. But you may need treatment in hospital if you keep having long episodes.
This may include:
- medicines to control the episodes of SVT given as tablets or through a vein
- cardioversion a small electric shock to the heart to help it get back to a normal rhythm
- catheter ablation a treatment where thin tubes are placed through a vein or artery into your heart to correct the problem with the electrical system this permanently cures the problem in most patients
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Foods That Cause Heart Palpitations
By Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T.
Often when I write about the best and worst foods for the heart, I talk in the context of heart-healing foods that are good to eat, as well as foods that should be avoided because they fan the flames of inflammation. Those discussions focus on how the things we eat and drink every day affect heart health over the long haul.
Today, though, I want to shift gears and focus on foods that can have more immediate and noticeable impacts on the heartstarting with foods that can cause heart palpitations. In this article Ill explore:
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