When the head suddenly begins to feel dizzy, shortness of breath appears, increased sweating, fever, it seems that the heart is about to jump out of the chest, there are significant changes in the work of many organs and systems. In addition to the cardiovascular system, kidneys, organs of vision, the nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract suffer.
All these symptoms and disorders cause such a seemingly ordinary increase in heart function, which occurs at rest, which is called tachycardia.
Normal heart function
Normally, in an adult during the daytime, the heart rate (HR) is 60-80 beats per minute. During sleep, this figure drops to 30-40. After a light jog or physical exercise, the pulse can jump up to 160 beats per minute.
Tachycardia
It is generally accepted that tachycardia is a disease. Although in reality this is far from the case. So doctors in one word call a symptom that manifests itself at rest and is characterized by a sharp increase in heart rate. The heart rate (pulse) in tachycardia will be more than 90 beats per minute.
Tachycardia can occur in healthy people in various situations:
- after strong physical exertion (up to 180 beats per minute);
- during emotional overexcitation;
- due to stress;
- during heat or from stuffiness;
- after taking certain doses of coffee, tea, alcohol;
- after a sharp tilt or rise.
In other cases, tachycardia is caused by various disorders within the body. The main causes of tachycardia in women are disorders in the functioning of the endocrine, nervous, autonomic systems, with arrhythmias of various forms and disorders of blood movement through the vessels (hemodynamics).
Sinus tachycardia
This form appears due to disturbances in the main source of heart rhythm - the sinus node. The causes of tachycardia in young women are very often caused by violations of the sinus rhythm. A feature of this symptom is an even rhythm (not changed), but a greatly increased heart rate - heart rate. The attack can be very long, and it can not be stopped without medical intervention.
Causes of sinus tachycardia in women:
- Adverse reaction to taking medications.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Heart disease.
- Poisoning by toxic substances.
- Smoking.
- Caffeine abuse (frequent use of energy drinks, brewed coffee).
- Severe neurological disorders.
Paroxysmal tachycardia
A distinctive feature of this type of tachycardia is the sudden onset, erratic and very rapid heartbeat (significantly more than with sinus disorders) - 150-300-490 beats per minute. At the site of the violation, three types of paroxysmal tachycardia are divided:
Atrial tachycardia often occurs after severe fright. The pulse jumps to 150-190 beats per minute.
With nodal tachycardia, nerve impulses occur at the border of the ventricles and atria and cause arrhythmia. This species is characterized by a sharp start and the same unexpected end to the attack.
Paroxysmal tachycardia in the ventricular region is called ventricular fibrillation. This is a life-threatening type of violation that requires an immediate emergency call. Causes of tachycardia in women that cause fibrillation:
- myocardial infarction;
- damage to the nervous system;
- shock conditions;
- severe poisoning by poisons;
- heart aneurysm (after a heart attack);
- coronary artery disease;
- malformations of the heart.
Symptoms
- cramps
- dilated pupils;
- weakness;
- noise in ears;
- compression and chest pain;
- nausea;
- drop in blood pressure;
- relaxation of the sphincters of the body;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness.
Tachycardia in women and age
Tachycardia in women is much more common than in males. Doctors explain this with the biological characteristics of the body associated with a predisposition to a high frequency of generation of an electrical impulse. It is generally accepted that cardiac abnormalities can appear only closer to retirement age, but this is not so at all. Tachycardia can cause a lot of anxiety at any age and have a wide variety of reasons.
The most common factors causing tachycardia in women:
- hormonal changes (11-20 years):
- pregnancy (18-40 years old);
- menopause / menopause (after 50-55 years).
All these problems are associated with fluctuations in the level of estrogen in the female body. Other causes of tachycardia include:
- adrenal tumors and other lesions of the body's regulatory systems;
- tumors of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland;
- hypoxia - poor saturation of body tissues and organs with oxygen (including when in stuffy rooms or in highlands);
- lung pathology (asthma, obstructive bronchitis and others);
- allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis;
- hypotension - constantly low blood pressure;
- thrombosis;
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- acute viral infections, which are accompanied by a strong fever;
- diseases of the adrenal gland, thyroid gland;
- hyperventilation of the lungs;
- anemia - a lack of iron in the body;
- bad habits (smoking, drug use, energy);
- severe stress and depression;
- nervous disorders;
- dehydration;
- poisoning.
Tachycardia during pregnancy
The causes of tachycardia in women 30 or even 20 years old are also diverse. But most often, such violations at a young age cause pregnancy. This is due to a number of reasons associated with changes in the body:
- weight gain;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- pregnant anemia;
- displacement of internal organs caused by the growth of the uterus;
- toxicosis with frequent vomiting;
- lowering blood pressure - hypotension;
- preeclampsia.
Usually, after delivery, the seizures end, and the work of the heart is gradually restored. However, to exclude risks for the fetus and mother with tachycardia, a pregnant woman is prescribed a number of examinations:
- Echocardiogram.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Holter study - daily monitoring of heart function.
According to the results of the examination, potassium and magnesium preparations for pregnant women, sedatives of plant origin are prescribed, they recommend limiting physical activity and emotional rest.
Hormonal changes
Even girls during puberty have mild arrhythmias. They are considered quite acceptable for a healthy body, if they do not bother much and pass quickly without any medical intervention.
The causes of tachycardia in women 30 years old can be associated with hormonal imbalances, namely fluctuations in the level of triiodothyronine, thyroxine and calcitonin. Contact your endocrinologist if, in addition to tachycardia, you are concerned:
- mood swings;
- trouble sleeping;
- tearfulness;
- irritability;
- heavy sweating;
- hand shake;
- disruptions in the cycle of menstruation;
- sharp weight loss (while maintaining normal nutrition and physical activity).
The causes of tachycardia in women under 40 years of age with the appearance of these symptoms are often very simple. The most common problem in the thyroid gland is hyperfunction. Such a violation with timely and proper treatment can be easily corrected and does not cause much concern in the future.
Menopause
The causes of tachycardia in women after 50 years are very often associated with the onset of menopause. During menopause, estrogen production decreases dramatically. Namely, this hormone regulates the work of the autonomic system, which affects the activity of the heart and promotes the expansion of blood vessels. Therefore, immediately contact your gynecologist if, in addition to tachycardia, you begin to notice:
- heat;
- night sweats;
- malfunctions of the menstrual cycle;
- dry mucous membranes and skin;
- mood swings;
- frequent urination;
- decreased drive.
Some women need hormone replacement therapy, medication to stop strong attacks of tachycardia, as well as therapy to expand the lumen of the vessels and improve blood flow.
As additional tools that relieve symptoms of a rapid heartbeat, you can use:
- breathing exercises;
- yoga classes;
- meditative and other types of relaxing practices;
- infusions of motherwort, valerian, sage and hypericum.
Tachycardia and blood pressure
Most often, a tachycardia attack is accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. In this case, you will feel:
- heart beat;
- a lump in the stomach;
- dizziness;
- pain in the occipital region of the head;
- feeling of panic and fear;
- pain in the sternum.
Such symptoms can cause severe blood loss, shock conditions (toxic, infectious, anaphylactic, traumatic shock), vegetovascular dystonia and normal pregnancy.
To stop the attack, you can try to tighten the muscles of the limbs and abs for 15-25 seconds or hold your breath for a short while after a long breath.
Even if this recommendation has helped, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Causes of tachycardia in women under 40 and older can be the most serious. And the conclusion can only be made by the doctor after the patient undergoes a full examination.
The causes of tachycardia in women with normal pressure are most often associated with:
- overeating;
- problems in the thyroid gland;
- severe stress or fear;
- various diseases of the psyche;
- lack of sleep;
- anemia
- intoxication;
- smoking
- excessive drinking.
It is worth noting that tachycardia with high blood pressure occurs quite rarely.
Tachycardia Treatment
There are three areas in the treatment of this symptom:
- Removal (stopping) of symptoms by means of intravenous administration of "Novokainamid" or "Kordaron".
- Normalization and maintenance of a normal pulse. The use of beta-blockers or Digoxin.
- Prevention of blood clots - blood thinners (for example, Warfarin).
- Treatment of a disease causing tachycardia.