Tachycardia: what is it and how to treat it?

Translated from the ancient Greek language "tahi" - often, "cardio" - the heart. These two words form the name of such a pathology as tachycardia. What it is? This is a deviation in which there is a rapid heartbeat (over 90 beats per minute). Naturally, the rate of heart rate is different for each age. If for a newborn baby, a pulse of 140 beats per minute is considered a good indicator, then in an adult it can indicate health problems, for example, diseases of the heart, thyroid gland, lungs, etc. Also, a rapid heartbeat can be a natural reaction of the body to physical activity, high body temperature, stress. Therefore, a natural question arises: "Is tachycardia dangerous?" Let's figure it out.

Varieties and causes of tachycardia

Tachycardia is physiological and pathological.

As mentioned above, emotional or physical stress can accelerate the heartbeat. In this case, we are talking about physiological tachycardia. This is an absolutely normal reaction of the body that does not require any treatment.

But there is still pathological tachycardia. What it is? This deviation is due to diseases of the cardiovascular system or other systems and organs of the body.

The reasons for this condition may be the following:

• anemia;

• acute dehydration;

• hypothyroidism;

• adrenal gland tumor;

• pain syndromes of various origins;

• neurosis or psychosis.

Signs of this pathology

If a tachycardia attack is associated with any disease, then the symptoms may be as follows:

• shortness of breath - lack of air with moderate physical activity or at rest;

• darkening in the eyes;

• dizziness;

• pain in the heart;

• loss of consciousness.

All these disorders occur against the background of a failure in the normal blood supply to the brain.

Tachycardia: what is it and how to treat it?

Pathology therapy should be carried out in three stages:

• Stopping (elimination) of an attack.

For this, antiarrhythmic drugs are administered intravenously. This procedure should be performed only by a doctor. You can independently help yourself, using holding your breath, coughing, provoking a gag reflex.

• Support normal heart rate.

Due to irregular atrial contraction, blood clots may form. To prevent this, blood thinners are used.

• Elimination of the cause.

It is necessary to treat the underlying disease: replenishment of the volume of blood or fluid in case of loss, increase in hemoglobin in case of anemia, etc.

In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required. Indications for surgery may be such conditions as gross congenital heart disease, severe violation of the blood supply to the heart, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma.

So, tachycardia. What is it, its symptoms, causes and principles of treatment you learned by reading this article. If you are concerned about any of the above symptoms, then consult your doctor as soon as possible. An experienced specialist will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Observing all the recommendations, you will certainly return excellent health and keep healthy.