Heart palpitations are common symptoms, and without the presence of other concomitant signs, it is quite difficult to determine what exactly is the reason for such a response of the heart muscle to external and internal stimuli.
A frequent heartbeat is characterized by the fact that a person’s heart is reduced 90 times per minute. In some cases, such a condition is considered a completely normal mechanism required by the body. In other situations, doctors talk about the pathology. There are many causes and symptoms of this condition, on which the well-being of a person largely depends.
Feature of tachycardia
Many patients are interested in the name of the heartbeat and what exactly is a similar condition. If the heart beats too much and often, then this is tachycardia, it is necessary to consult a doctor to correct the condition.
Normally, a person does not even notice a contraction of the heart muscle, and any deviation becomes quite obvious. A frequent heartbeat may be accompanied by a feeling of throbbing on the neck, fingertips, or temples. In addition, there are signs such as tinnitus, pain in the heart, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
Such signs may indicate a pathology of the heart muscle, however, in most cases, heart damage is not detected.
What types can be
During the examination, the doctor initially finds out what type of tachycardia is observed in the patient. She may be:
- chronic
- paroxysmal;
- sinus;
- paroxysmal.
The chronic form is characterized by the fact that the signs are permanent or are repeated periodically, at regular intervals. The paroxysmal appearance is generally considered one of the signs of arrhythmia.
The sinus form can occur only at the beginning and at the end of the attack. Treatment is carried out by eliminating the main triggering factors and lifestyle changes. The paroxysmal type can only be detected with a strong attack using electrocardiography.
Main reasons
The causes of a heartbeat can be very different. First of all, it is worth noting that even a slight anxiety and excitement can provoke a similar state. This is a completely normal reaction of the body. If a person has stress every day, then tachycardia begins to develop. A similar condition can last for several days.
In addition to the stress factor, among the causes of heart palpitations, one can distinguish such as:
- state of the endocrine system;
- body poisoning;
- menopause;
- acute infectious diseases;
- significant physical exertion;
- stimulant abuse;
- obesity;
- overwork;
- anemia;
- pregnancy;
- dehydration of the body;
- malignant neoplasms.
Often the occurrence of a rapid heartbeat is promoted by an increase in pressure, old age, excessive weight. In addition, among the main causes, myocarditis, coronary heart disease, as well as various malformations can be distinguished. A frequent heartbeat can be with renal colic, blood loss, neurosis.
Of great importance is the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia. There may be concomitant symptoms, in particular, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, nervous breakdowns, headache, fear of death. Causes of heart palpitations in women may be related to pregnancy. In this case, it increases by 10 beats per minute plus the norm.
Physiological reasons
The causes of rapid heart contraction can be quite logical and justified. A frequent heartbeat can be observed with an inflammatory process accompanied by an increase in temperature. This is due to the fact that the body requires additional energy and faster oxygen delivery.
In addition, a violation can occur if there is increased physical activity. Also, a frequent strong heartbeat can be triggered by such factors as:
- a sharp rise from the bed;
- painful sensations;
- consumption of certain medications;
- stay in a hot climate.
In this case, the blows should be uniform and follow one after the other, and after some time, after the elimination of the provoking factor, pass.
Pathological causes
Frequent strong palpitations can occur as a result of pathologies of the heart muscle, as well as diseases of other organs and systems. Such provoking factors include:
- severe course of angina pectoris;
- heart attack;
- cardiosclerosis;
- heart defects;
- pericarditis;
- myocarditis;
- anemia;
- thyrotoxicosis.
The severe course of angina manifests itself in the form of pain behind the sternum and occurs mainly after significant physical exertion. Myocardial infarction mainly occurs against the background of already existing signs of angina pectoris, but it can form completely suddenly. Despite the fact that the main symptom is painful sensations, the pathology can proceed without pain.
Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which the thyroid gland begins to produce excessive amounts of hormones. In this case, attacks of rapid heartbeat occur quite often, and additionally, increased pressure can be observed.
Frequent palpitations under normal pressure can occur when various pathologies occur in the body. In particular, such as:
- cardiomyopathy;
- cardiosclerosis;
- mitral valve prolapse;
- endocarditis;
- heart defects.
Be sure to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and subsequent treatment. A frequent heartbeat under normal pressure is also characteristic of pathologies accompanied by intoxication of the body, in particular, such as tonsillitis, purulent-inflammatory processes, pneumonia.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of a frequent heartbeat can be very different, it all depends on the underlying cause that triggered the onset of the attack. Among the additional features can be identified such as:
- knocking in the chest;
- noise gives to the head, ears;
- there is a feeling of anxiety.
In addition, frequent breathing and palpitations may occur, which is accompanied by a lack of air, as well as drops in blood pressure.
Tachycardia in children and the elderly
It is very important to know exactly why heart palpitations occur in children. This condition can be triggered by physical and emotional overstrain, rhythm disturbance and conduction of the cardiovascular system. Particular attention is required paroxysmal tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia. In adolescence, an increase in contractions of the heart muscle can be organic in nature, a similar condition develops against the background of hormonal changes in the body.
In older people, high blood pressure and a heartbeat can often be observed quite often. Among the most common causes of this condition, one can distinguish the presence of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the intake of certain medications, especially cardiac glycosides. Basically, special treatment is not required. In older people, atrial fibrillation or sinus tachycardia may be the only manifestation of thyrotoxicosis. An additional sign may be eye gloss.
Tachycardia during pregnancy
If a frequent heartbeat is observed during pregnancy , what to do is definitely necessary to know in order to prevent the development of complications, since they can be dangerous for a woman and a child. An increased frequency of heartbeat while carrying a child is a fairly common phenomenon.
This is mainly due to disturbances in the functioning of the heart muscle, since it should provide full access to the uterus for blood. In addition, anemia can provoke a violation. Other factors include asthma, overweight, allergies, thyroid disease, physical stress, and stress.
Help with an attack
In order to prevent complications after an attack of tachycardia, it is very important to correctly provide first aid before the doctor arrives and to minimize the risk of damage to weak areas of the myocardium, as well as the occurrence of a heart attack. Be sure to call an ambulance. After that you need:
- to lay the person with an attack so that the body is lower than the head;
- provide oxygen access;
- apply moist cool compress to your forehead;
- free from clothing that interferes with normal breathing;
- give a sedative drug.
In addition, you need to do breathing exercises, drink tea from chamomile or lemon balm. Massage has a good effect, as it helps to relax and calm down. It is very important that the person is conscious during the attack, which is why it is necessary to use means to reduce the heart rate. It is important to ensure adequate drinking, you need to drink cold water in small sips, as well as do acupressure.
Diagnostics
Treatment depends on the cause of the heartbeat. What to do, only the attending doctor will be able to determine, however, for this you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. An important role is played by the anamnesis and physical examination. Confirm the diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental methods.
Initially, the patient is asked to describe the existing symptoms, to clarify the duration and accompanying sensations. After that, the doctor asks you to tap the heart rate in order to determine exactly what it happens during a heartbeat.
With ischemia, pain in the sternum is observed, with neurosis, heart failure and stenosis - lack of air. In severe life-threatening disorders, fainting and dizziness are observed.
The most informative will be a physical study conducted during an increased heartbeat, but this is not always possible. The most important step in the examination will be the study of heart rhythm. The doctor draws attention to the sparkle in the eyes, the pulsation of the veins in the neck, and increased pressure. In the presence of anemia, the palms become pale, and with thyrotoxicosis - wet and warm.
Diagnose arrhythmia or tachycardia with the help of such studies as:
- blood analysis;
- determination of the level of thyroid hormones;
- biochemical and serological research;
- chest x-ray;
- electrocardiogram;
- electrophysiological study.
After conducting a comprehensive diagnosis, you can make the correct diagnosis and determine exactly how to treat.
Treatment features
If there is a frequent heartbeat, what to do is very important to know, since correctly selected therapy will help to quickly normalize well-being and prevent the development of dangerous complications. If you have complaints, you should definitely contact your therapist. He will conduct an examination, and if necessary, refer to a cardiologist and other specialists. The tactics of therapy implies:
- elimination of the underlying cause of arrhythmia;
- limiting the consumption of coffee, alcohol and tonic drinks;
- rejection of bad habits;
- the use of medications.
If the use of conservative methods of therapy does not bring the desired result, then surgery is performed. A good effect is provided by folk remedies. In addition, it is advisable to follow a special diet, while consuming a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as foods rich in healthy vitamins and minerals.
Drug therapy
During therapy, the doctor may prescribe pills for heart palpitations aimed at eliminating the attack. With a sharp attack, you must definitely take “Valocordin”, which will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms and reduce anxiety.
When conducting drug therapy, sedative pills against heart palpitations, which can be of plant origin, can be used. Antiarrhythmic drugs also have a good effect. It is worth remembering that at the initial stages of the pathology, a cure for a frequent heartbeat is not prescribed, since it is quite possible to get rid of the existing problem with the help of folk remedies, as well as by adjusting the lifestyle and nutrition.
Folk techniques
With frequent palpitations, treatment with folk remedies has a very good result. It is necessary to replace coffee or tea with a healing drink made from the fruits of hawthorn or rose hips. In addition, you can consume green tea, tincture of motherwort leaves. You can adjust the heart rate using tincture of cornflower flowers.
Useful in the course of such a pathology will be juice from green oats, which should be taken 50 ml 3 times a day. This remedy will be most effective if heart palpitations are observed against a background of hypertension. For a month, you can consume tea made from lemon balm or peppermint. In this case, tachycardia attacks will become much less common and will be much easier to tolerate. It is worth noting that men often should not consume such drinks, as they somewhat reduce sexual desire.
Good properties are possessed by tincture of adonis, hawthorn, adonis. You need to take these funds daily to quickly normalize your well-being. What to take with a frequent heartbeat from folk remedies, only a doctor can determine, this requires a comprehensive examination of the patient to identify possible contraindications.
Possible complications
Tachycardia is a rather dangerous pathology that can provoke the subsequent development of complex diseases and complications. Among the main violations can be identified such as:
- heart failure;
- cramps
- pulmonary edema;
- loss of consciousness;
- heart attack, stroke;
- thrombosis;
- sudden death.
It is dangerous if the attack is observed very sharply, and there is no one who could help. That is why, at the slightest fear of developing a pathological condition, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Prophylaxis
If during the examination no serious violations and diseases were revealed, then to stabilize the heart contractions, breathing exercises and yoga classes are necessary. In addition, in order to prevent, it is necessary to abandon bad habits, normalize lifestyle and daily routine. It is advisable to engage in moderate physical activity, take time to sleep and rest, and also normalize your diet.
People suffering from tachycardia need to switch to milk and vegetable nutrition. It is useful to take vitamin complexes in addition, in particular, magnesium has a good effect, since it is responsible for the relaxation and contraction of the heart muscle.
Moderate sports will help increase the body's resistance to the formation of tachycardia. However, be sure to consider that you should not allow excessive overvoltage. To normalize the heart rate, it is advisable to engage in swimming, take soothing baths, take walks before bedtime.
Of the alternative methods, acupressure, reflexology, and the use of beekeeping products have a good effect.