Do you also experience a pounding heart? Let's talk about tachycardia!

Have you ever felt your heart beat faster when you were very nervous or very tired? It's normal. But if, for no reason, your heart beats faster even when you are just standing still, if it feels like a pounding sound coming from inside your chest, it may be something to be concerned about. Today we are going to talk about such a condition of rapid heartbeat, which is called tachycardia .

What is tachycardia? Let's understand it simply!

Simply put, tachycardia is when your heart beats faster than normal when you are at rest. Normally, when we are at rest, our heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, in the case of tachycardia, this number increases to more than 100 beats per minute. This rapid heartbeat can last from a few seconds to several hours.

Imagine what happens when the heart beats so fast. The heart doesn't even have time to fill with blood properly, because the beating is so fast. Then the other cells in our body don't get the blood and oxygen they need. This can be a bit dangerous , because our entire body depends on the blood coming from the heart.

What are the main types of tachycardia?

Tachycardia can come in many forms. Some types can occur more frequently, and they can be more serious. While some types of tachycardia may not cause much harm, others can cause moderate to severe damage. Only a doctor can tell you exactly what type of tachycardia you have and how to manage it.

Our heart has four main chambers. Tachycardia can occur in any of these chambers. The reason for this is that there is a problem with the electrical signals in the heart.

There are two main types of tachycardia:

1. Supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) : These start in the upper chambers of the heart, the atria. Examples include atrial fibrillation and premature atrial contractions .

2. Ventricular tachycardias : These start in the lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. Examples include ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes . These are usually conditions that require some concern .

What symptoms does a person with tachycardia show?

Some people have tachycardia and don't show any symptoms. But others can experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe, serious . See if you experience any of these:

• Heart palpitations (feeling like your chest is pounding)
• Dyspnea (feeling like you are suffocating, having difficulty breathing )
• Chest pain or chest tightness
• Feeling of irregular heartbeat (feeling like the rhythm of the heart has changed, like it's beating suddenly - `Heart palpitations`)
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness (feeling lightheaded, fainting)
• Loss of memory (amnesia)
• Nausea (feeling like vomiting)
• Feeling extremely tired (too tired to do anything)

If you experience one or more of these symptoms frequently, it is very important to seek medical advice.

Why does this tachycardia occur? What are the causes?

Our heart normally works according to electrical signals coming from a special place in the heart called the sinoatrial (SA) node . These signals control how often the heart should beat. For example, when you are suddenly scared, or very emotional, or nervous, or when you exercise, the heart increases the rate of sending these signals for a short time. This is called sinus tachycardia . This usually goes away when you calm down or rest. It is not a big problem.

However, drug use, tobacco use, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption can also cause an increase in heart rate.

In addition, there are several other causes that can cause tachycardia:

• Stress
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure
• Other heart conditions, for example coronary artery disease
• Low blood sugar
• Pregnancy
• Anemia (lack of blood in the body)

What are the risk factors that increase the risk of tachycardia?

Some people are at higher risk of developing tachycardia. Here are some factors that can affect this:

• If someone in the family has tachycardia (Family history of tachycardia)
• Obesity
• Diabetes `(Diabetes Mellitus)`
• Kidney or lung diseases
• Untreated thyroid issues
• Certain medications , for example antiarrhythmics and antidepressants

What are the possible complications of this condition?

If not treated properly, some types of tachycardia can cause your kidneys, liver, or heart to fail . Tachycardia can also lead to conditions like:

• Blood clots - If these travel to the brain, they can cause a stroke.
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Weakening of the heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy)
• Sudden cardiac arrest

Therefore, if you have symptoms of tachycardia, don't ignore them. It's best to seek medical advice immediately.

How to diagnose tachycardia? (Diagnosis)

When you see a doctor, he or she will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam . In addition, they may order some tests, such as:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG) : This tests the electrical activity of the heart.
• Holter monitor or other wearable monitor : This is worn for one or two days and records the heart's activity during that time.
• Tilt table test : This tests how your heart rate and blood pressure change as you change your position.
• Stress test : This tests how the heart responds to exercise.
• Electrophysiology test (EP study) : A special test to identify problems with the heart's electrical system.
• Echocardiogram : An ultrasound test of the heart. It looks at the structure and function of the heart.
• Blood tests : Check for things like thyroid problems and anemia.
• Genetic tests : Check for hereditary causes.
• Cardiac imaging : Similar to an MRI.

What are the treatments for tachycardia?

Tachycardia is treated mainly with procedures and medications . Treatment depends on the type of tachycardia you have and its cause.

Treatment methods:

• Vagal maneuvers : Sometimes your doctor will teach you these. These are simple techniques that can help control your heart rate a little.
• Ablation : A procedure that destroys areas of the heart that cause irregular electrical signals.
• Cardioversion : An electrical shock is given to the heart to restore normal heart rhythm.
• Implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) : A device that detects and corrects life-threatening heart rhythms by delivering electrical shocks.
• Pacemaker : A device that helps control the heartbeat.
• Left atrial appendage closure : This is done to prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation.

Types of drugs:

• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Potassium channel blockers
• Sodium channel blockers
• Antiarrhythmic medicines
• Blood thinners or anticoagulants (especially for those with atrial fibrillation)

In some emergencies, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) may even be necessary.

What does a person with tachycardia experience?

Your experience will depend on the type of tachycardia you have. It can be a harmless symptom, or it can be a life-threatening condition, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Medications and other treatments can help control your rapid heartbeat.

To see if your medications are working properly, you may need to wear a Holter monitor or have electrophysiology testing .

How long does tachycardia last? Can it be cured?

If you have sinus tachycardia, your symptoms will go away once the stress or anxiety that caused it goes away. But most other types of tachycardia require medication or treatment to prevent the rapid heartbeat and other symptoms from coming back.

Life-threatening tachycardia does not get better on its own. You need to follow a healthy lifestyle, take your medications properly, and sometimes undergo a treatment procedure like ablation.

Although medications cannot completely cure tachycardia, they can help control the heart rate . Ablation therapy can provide a long-term solution, and sometimes a cure, for some types of tachycardia.

How can I take care of my heart health?

If your doctor has taught you vagal maneuvers, you may be able to control your tachycardia to some extent.

In addition, be aware of these things:

• Control conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol .
• Take the medications prescribed by your doctor exactly and on time.
• Limit beverages containing caffeine and alcohol . (Reduce the number of cups of coffee and tea you drink per day.)
• Stop using tobacco products completely.
• Maintain a healthy weight that suits you.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet (low in oil, salt, and sugar, and high in fruits and vegetables).
• Manage stress. (Things like meditation, yoga, and hobbies can help.)

When should I see a doctor? When should I go to the Emergency Department (ETU) ?

Once you are diagnosed with tachycardia, you will have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. However, if your medications are not providing adequate relief, or if you develop new symptoms, let your doctor know right away.

In this case, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately:

• If you have difficulty breathing
• If you feel your heart pounding (pounding)
• If you have chest pain
• If you feel dizzy or lightheaded

Also, if someone suddenly collapses or loses consciousness due to ventricular fibrillation, seek medical help immediately. CPR should be performed until the ambulance arrives to save their life.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You can ask your doctor questions like:

• Do I have a dangerous type of tachycardia?
• What kind of treatment do you recommend for me?
• What is your success rate for cardiac ablation treatment?
• Is my family also at risk of developing tachycardia?

Finally, take-home message

When you feel your heart beating fast, it's normal to stop what you're doing and wonder what's going on. Symptoms of tachycardia can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of tachycardia you have. Rest assured, if you have symptoms, talk to your doctor. He or she will tell you if there's anything to be concerned about.

The most important thing is to take the medications your doctor prescribes, especially heart medications, exactly as they are prescribed. Don't stop taking them without your doctor's approval. Also, be sure to keep up with your regular appointments.

I hope this information is useful to you. Healthy hearts to all!

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