Tachycardia is a pathological phenomenon consisting in an increase in heart rate (from 90 beats per minute). This is not an ailment, but a symptom indicating the presence of a disease.
Therefore, treatment of tachycardia cannot be prescribed - it will begin to subside as a person undergoes the therapy prescribed to him in connection with the identification of the cause of its occurrence. Well, now it’s worth telling what diseases it may indicate. We also dwell briefly on their symptoms and treatment.
Sinus tachycardia
This is a common type of arrhythmia, in which the pulse exceeds the mark of 100 beats per minute. As a rule, sinus tachycardia indicates the presence of pathology of the heart, endocrine system, blood vessels or other organs.
However, sometimes in healthy people a similar condition is observed. The reason for this is physical exertion, a plentiful feast, strong excitement or even a cup of strong black coffee. This is normal, because after some time the normal heartbeat is restored, and the blood flow in the organs is not disturbed.
Before proceeding to the consideration of the symptoms and treatment of sinus type tachycardia, it is worth explaining why it is so called.
The origin of the term is logical. The word "sinus" indicates that the impulses to contract the heart come from the main, sinus node. So the rhythm remains regular. The frequency of contractions of the ventricles and atria remains the same. Arrhythmia is increasing gradually. In some cases, the pulse can reach 220 beats per minute. But the limit is usually 110-120.
Unfortunately, pathological sinus tachycardia leads to changes in the systemic circulation and in the heart itself. The muscle works at a frantic speed, in fact, for wear. The heart simply does not cope with its main task, which is to supply the right amount of blood to the small and large circle. Since under such a load, his chambers are not completely filled. What does this lead to?
Sinus tachycardia as a symptom
Over time, a stable, rapid heartbeat leads to cardiomyopathy. This is the name for primary damage to the heart, manifested in problems with the heart of a different nature. In this case, these include:
- Chronic and acute heart failure.
- Autoimmune, infectious inflammation in the myocardium.
- Ischemic diseases (cardiosclerosis, heart attack, angina pectoris).
- Acquired and congenital malformation.
- Inflammation in the inner and outer layer of the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy
There are also extracardiac causes of sinus tachycardia. Symptoms and their treatment are radically different, because the nature of the disease is completely different. Although, as a rule, the following disorders are diagnosed:
- Neurogenic. The main reason is the increasing level of stress. Manifestations: psychosis, neurosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia. They are found, as a rule, in emotionally labile and young people.
- Endocrine. The main causes: hormone-producing adrenal tumors and increased thyroid function.
Symptoms of sinus tachycardia should also be listed, the treatment of which will be discussed later. The following manifestations are considered as alarm signals:
- Well palpable, persistent heartbeat.
- Fatigue even with minimal physical exertion.
- Dizziness.
- Shortness of breath and shortness of breath, even when at rest.
- Episodes of loss of consciousness.
- Heartache.
- Insomnia, irritability, anxiety and emotional lability.
- Chest discomfort.
Often, ignoring treatment and symptoms, tachycardia entails complications. A person can experience prolonged and frequent attacks, the chambers of his heart will gradually expand, and the myocardium will begin to weaken. Perhaps even the appearance of stagnation in the circles of blood circulation. High probability of developing progressive angina pectoris and acute failure.
Sinus Tachycardia Treatment
As mentioned earlier, to eliminate it does not require the use of any specific methods. Treatment of tachycardia is aimed at eliminating the cause. This ultimately leads to the fact that the normal rhythm frequency is restored.
In addition to having to give up alcohol, smoking, strong coffee and tea, you will need to visit a doctor. Only he can make a diagnosis, identifying the exact cause of an accelerated heartbeat, and prescribe therapy. But usually the following medicines are prescribed:
- Drugs aimed at suppressing the production of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin. Examples: Carbimazole, Tyrosol, Tiamazole, Merkazolil, Propylthiouracil. Assign with hyperthyroidism.
- Iron preparations. Examples: CosmoFer, Venofer, Heferol, Iron Gluconate 300. The indication is anemia.
- Sedatives, as well as sedatives of plant and synthetic origin. Examples: Vechernye dragee, medicinal valerian extract, Tenoten, Persen, Motherwort, and Afobazol. It is prescribed for depressive disorders, psychoses, stress and neurosis.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics (macrolides, cephalosporins and penicillin preparations). Examples: Amoxicillin, Flemoclav, Zinnat, Amoxiclav, Augmentin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin. Assign with angina and other infectious pathologies that affect the heart rhythm.
In especially serious cases, the doctor may suggest a transfusion of plasma and red blood cells, as well as prescribe drugs that help restore the total volume of circulating blood.
Paroxysmal tachycardia: causes and symptoms
This type of arrhythmia is less common. Paroxysmal tachycardia, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed later, is characterized by a heart rate in the range from 140 to 220. They occur due to ectopic impulses leading to the replacement of the usual sinus rhythm.
Arrhythmia of this species is similar in etiology to a disease such as extrasystole. This is an untimely contraction of the individual chambers of the heart or the entire muscle.
Paroxysmal tachycardia is clearly felt. Its beginning is determined by a strong impulse in the region of the heart, after which the frequency of its contractions begins to increase actively. It all ends abruptly, but it can last from a couple of seconds to several days.
Typically, the direct causes of this type of arrhythmia are the following diseases and factors:
- Myocardial infarction.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Arterial hypertension.
- Inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Myocardial dystrophy.
- Heart disease.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Acute allergic reactions.
- Cardiac catheterization, interventions.
- Reception of incorrectly selected drugs.
Before proceeding to consider the treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia, it is worth noting the symptoms of its manifestation. These include:
- Noise in the head and severe weakness.
- The feeling that the heart is contracting.
- Weakening limb strength.
- Violation of sensitivity and speech.
- Nausea, sweating, bloating, fever, increased urination.
- Fainting and dizziness.
In the presence of alarming symptoms, it is better not to delay going to the cardiologist and undergoing electrocardiography.
How to treat paroxysmal tachycardia?
The answer to this question will be given only by a cardiologist. It is important to consider that this type of arrhythmia can be of different types - ventricular, atrioventricular, and atrial. Unfortunately, in most cases hospitalization is required. Since often this manifestation indicates the presence of acute failure.
It is possible to stop arrhythmia with the help of vagal maneuvers. These are such techniques, due to which it turns out to act on the vagus nerve. These include Ashner, Chermak — Goering and Valsalva, straining, wiping with cold water.
However, all this only stops attacks and symptoms. Treatment of tachycardia is carried out only through the introduction of medications that have an antiarrhythmic effect. Usually, doctors prescribe these drugs:
- Novocainamide. A tool with membrane stabilizing activity.
- Propranoloa. Beta-adrenergic blocking drug.
- Aimalin. Indole alkaloid.
- Quinidine. The stereoisomer of quinine.
- "Rhythmodan." An analogue of the previous drug.
- "Etmozin." Especially effective in supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles.
- Isoptin. It has antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic and antianginal effects.
- "Cordaron." Repolarization Inhibitor.
If treatment of tachycardia with medications is ineffective, then the patient is prescribed electro-pulse therapy with further outpatient monitoring and anti-relapse therapy.
Ventricular fibrillation
This is an extremely dangerous condition that threatens human life. It is characterized by abnormal malfunctions in the heart rhythm.
Ventricular contractions become extremely fast, ineffective, and uncoordinated. Their appearance provokes electrical chaotic impulses. The ventricles simply tremble, as at the time of atrial fibrillation. Blood is not ejected.
In simple terms, promiscuous contraction equates to cardiac arrest. If it does not stop, then death will come. The causes of fibrillation are:
- Inadequate blood circulation in the myocardium. It arises as a result of coronary disease.
- Shock.
- Hypokalemia, manifested in a low concentration of potassium ions in the blood.
In this case, it is difficult to talk about the causes and treatment. Tachycardia of this type is a consequence of a serious illness. If fibrillation occurs, then the following occurs:
- A person loses consciousness.
- Convulsions appear.
- Pulse, pressure, heart rate disappears.
- The process of dying off the brain begins (oxygen does not enter it).
Only with the help of an ECG can a person's predisposition associated with his disease to fibrillation can be confirmed.
Emergency ambulance involves resuscitation of the lungs and heart, as well as relief of tachyarrhythmias by the discharge of a defibrillator. In the future, the normal rhythm is maintained with the help of medications.
Diagnostics
A visit to a cardiologist is required when tachycardia symptoms are detected. And treatment at home is highly discouraged to start without a diagnosis and adequate medical advice.
The examination helps to determine what the cause of the heart palpitations is, what causes this condition - directly damage to the main muscle of the body or extracardiac factors. Also, only with the help of diagnostics can you find out what type of tachycardia a person suffers - sinus or paroxysmal.
Naturally, first of all, a person will be sent to an ECG. This is an informative and safe procedure that will help to identify all disorders in the rhythm and in cardiac activity in general.
If there is a suspicion of an intracardiac pathology, MRI, EFI and Echocardiography may be prescribed. As additional methods, they can resort to brain EEG and a general blood test.
All these studies are necessary. Only after a full diagnosis, the doctor can exclude endocrine disorders, blood diseases and pathological activity of the central nervous system.
In addition, it is on the basis of the obtained results that tachycardia treatment is prescribed. There are many drugs, and if a person decides to “appoint” them to himself, then his body can respond by worsening the condition.
Plus, the diagnosis does not always end at a visit to a cardiologist. So, if a person revealed extracardial sinus tachycardia, then he is sent for a consultation with a neurologist. Psychotherapy and sedatives (antipsychotics, tranquilizers) may even be prescribed.
And if a reflex or compensatory tachycardia is detected, then the causes of their appearance are first eliminated. Otherwise, therapy, the goal of which is to reduce heart rate, will aggravate hemodynamic disturbances and lower blood pressure.
Folk remedies
Of course, the best treatment for tachycardia is pills. You can resort to folk remedies only after coordinating them with your doctor, and even then as a preventive measure. Here are some recipes:
- You need to take motherwort grass and valerian root (200 g each) and mix them with chopped anise fruits and yarrow grass (100 g each). Then take a tablespoon of the resulting collection and pour boiling water (300 ml). Give an hour to insist. Strain and drink throughout the day in equal portions. The course lasts 30 days. Then a month-long break.
- In equal proportions, mix valerian root, fennel and caraway seeds, chamomile and mint. Every evening, prepare an infusion: pour a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Strain and drink before bedtime. The course lasts 20 days.
- Mix green tea (1 tsp) with motherwort (1 tsp), fruits of hawthorn (1 tbsp) and rose hips (1 tbsp.). Pour everything into a thermos, pour half a liter of boiling water. Give 30 minutes to brew. Strain and drink this volume in two doses per day.
- Grind 2 walnuts, mix with honey (2 tsp) and a chopped slice of fresh lemon. Chew and swallow the resulting mass slowly. Drink a glass of water. There is such a sweetness at bedtime, daily for three months.
- A tablespoon of lemon balm pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for an hour, then strain. Drink 100 milliliters per day for three months.
These are not bad medications for tachycardia medication. All of them are aimed at restoring the work of the heart and have a calming effect.
Power Features
So, it was said above about the symptoms and treatment of tachycardia. It is worth recalling that it is also extremely necessary to observe the correct diet and milk-vegetable diet, adhering to which, a person will provide his body with the necessary trace elements and vitamins.
All products used should not burden the vessels and be easily digested. The basis of the diet is recommended to take:
- Figs, dried apricots, dates, raisins. These dried fruits have the highest content of iron, magnesium and potassium.
- Fresh berries and fruits: pineapple, peach, cherry, banana, grapefruit, blackcurrant, apricot.
- Low-fat sour-milk products: sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt.
- Skimmed milk.
- Greens and vegetables: Jerusalem artichoke, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, celery, beets, parsley.
- Low-fat meat: veal, turkey, chicken, pork.
- Egg (one per day).
- White low-fat fish.
- Honey.
- Bran and cereals.
- Herbal teas.
- Fresh juices, compotes, fruit drinks and fresh juices (both from berries and fruits, and from vegetables).
- Dried rosehip.
It is allowed to fill food with oil, but the daily volume should not be more than 15 ml. And you can use only vegetable (corn, flaxseed).
In the treatment of heart tachycardia, it is better to eat berries, fruits and vegetables raw. Prepare puddings and cereals from cereals. And from meat and fish you can make steam patties and meatballs, boil it and bake it.
What is forbidden?
In the process of preventing and treating symptoms of tachycardia, pills and other drugs can help if a person does not aggravate the condition by consuming prohibited foods that provoke a rapid heartbeat. These include:
- Alcohol.
- Tea, coffee, energy, soda (especially Coca-Cola).
- Spices, salt, soda.
- Hard boiled or fried eggs.
- Fatty dairy products.
- Spicy, fatty, spicy, smoked dishes.
- Canned food and marinades.
- Sweets and pastries in abnormal quantities.
Also, in order for the treatment of tachycardia at home to be effective, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations. Limit yourself in the use of sugar and salt, consume food in small portions at regular intervals, 1-2 times a week do unloading (cleanse toxins and slag) and do not eat at night and do not overeat. Daily calorie content ranges from 2500 to 3000 kcal.
Effects
They also need to be noted with attention, since we are talking about the symptoms and treatment of tachycardia. This symptom is not so harmless as many may think. After all, it signals that the work of the whole heart is broken, and indicates its need to work for wear. Ignoring tachycardia is fraught with the following consequences:
- Violation of the conduction of the heart. Develops along with failure.
- The occurrence of cerebral thromboembolism.
- Ischemic stroke.
- Rapid muscle wear. The heart does not receive enough nutrition due to the accelerated mode of operation. As a result, the elasticity of its vessels and tissues is lost.
- Oxygen starvation. This is what causes constant fainting and metabolic disorders.
- Pulmonary edema, cardiac asthma, arrhythmic shock.
- Fatal outcome.
That is why you need to go to a cardiologist when the slightest signs of tachycardia appear. What treatment is necessary and what is the general reason for its appearance, only he can say. Prescribing medications for oneself or hoping that this “will pass by itself” is strongly discouraged.