The appearance of tachycardia symptoms is far from always indicative of cardiac arrhythmias, and therefore, poor health. However, any malfunction in the cardiovascular system requires closer attention.
The cause of tachycardia, which is manifested by an increase in the heart rate, in a predominant number of cases is heart disease. With this pathology, the number of heart contractions exceeds 90 beats in one minute. You will learn about what to do with tachycardia and how to recognize its first signs in this article.
Against the background of what arises
As you know from the school course of anatomy, the correct rhythm of the heart muscle is determined by the sinus node. With an increase in the degree of its automatism, deviations develop, which are called by one common word - arrhythmia. Tachycardia is one of the varieties of this disorder.
By the way, accelerated heartbeat is not always due to pathological reasons. Even a healthy person can feel tachycardia in certain situations, for example:
- with an increase in the level of adrenaline in the blood;
- due to factors causing the activation of nervous activity (stress, excessive physical exertion, sports, psycho-emotional arousal);
- in case of weather changes (sudden temperature jumps, summer heat, severe frost);
- due to the use of drugs that excite the cardiovascular system;
- against the background of the use of coffee and alcoholic beverages;
- with a sudden change in body position.
Of course, these cases do not require medical correction. Normally, cardiac arrhythmias disappear without the use of any drugs as soon as the exposure to provoking factors ceases.
Interestingly, in childhood (up to 7 years), a rapid heartbeat is also considered a variant of the norm. However, it may indicate the development of deviations. In adolescents, tachycardia can develop against the background of hormonal changes caused by puberty. For similar reasons, accelerated heart rate can occur in women during menopause.
Pathological factors
The following group of causes that cause tachycardia include endocrine system disorders. One of the most dangerous is pheochromocytoma (a hormone-dependent tumor of a benign or malignant nature) and thyrotoxicosis, which leads to an increase in the thyroid gland.
More common factors that trigger tachycardia attacks are acute vascular insufficiency, severe pain shock, or pain. Intoxication is also able to affect the heartbeat, which appears in humans under the influence of toxic decomposition products of dead body cells against a background of elevated body temperature. Signs of cardiac arrhythmia are common in people who suffer from infectious and inflammatory diseases, especially:
- flu
- tonsillitis;
- pneumonia
- salmonellosis;
- staph infection.
It is worth noting a certain pattern: the higher the person’s body temperature, the more often his heart muscle will contract. On average, in children with an increase of 1 °, the heart begins to beat faster by 10-15 beats per minute, which indicates tachycardia. In adults, heart rate is 8-9 beats per minute higher.
All of the above grounds for the occurrence of tachycardia are found mainly in people with a healthy heart. According to statistics, the majority of diagnosed arrhythmias that are not associated with deviations of the cardiovascular system are caused by neurogenic factors and impaired brain activity, and disorders in the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. A change in heart rate in the direction of increase worries patients suffering from:
- affective form of psychosis;
- neurosis of varying severity;
- dystonia (especially neurocirculatory).
Similar problems often overtake young people, although these factors can provoke arrhythmia in both adulthood and old age.
What substances cause arrhythmia
Certain chemical compounds and medications are capable of affecting the functioning of the main “motor” in our body. Among them:
- artificial analogues of the human hormone adrenaline;
- thyrotropic glucocorticoid drugs;
- bronchodilators;
- steroid drugs;
- anticholinergic plant atropine.
Heart diseases
An attack of tachycardia can be triggered by the influence of factors that can be divided into two categories - intracardial and extracardial. Arrhythmias with a rapid heartbeat are caused by disturbances in cardiac activity, such as:
- infectious endocarditis (inflammation of the inner shell);
- arterial hypertension (especially with hypertensive crisis);
- acute or chronic heart failure;
- intrauterine or rheumatic defects;
- various forms of cardiomyopathy;
- coronary artery disease;
- cardiosclerosis;
- adhesive and exudative pericarditis;
- myocardial infarction.
How does it manifest
Symptoms of tachycardia in patients can be completely different, due to pathogenesis, form of pathology, individual pain threshold and many other conditions. In this case, it is worth noting the common features that manifest themselves with arrhythmias of any type:
- increased heart rate;
- palpitations
- pronounced pulsation of blood vessels in the face and neck;
- restlessness and anxiety;
- dizziness;
- heavy depressed breathing, shortness of breath.
These signs are also characteristic of physiological tachycardia, which appears as a response of the heart rhythm to natural provoking factors. This condition should not cause concern, it goes away on its own when addressing the root cause.
Varieties of heart rhythm disturbances
Sinus tachycardia rarely occurs with complicated symptoms in the form of fainting and pre-fainting conditions, which cannot be said about the ectopic form of the disease. More often, doctors call it paroxysmal. The same name was awarded to her in the ICD-10. Paroxysmal tachycardia (code I47) is characterized by the fact that the rhythm generator is located in the atrium or ventricle. Unlike the sinus form, the ectopic has a number of specific signs. First of all, it is worth noting the unreasonably occurring and disappearing seizures, which are called paroxysms (from them the disease got its name). Each attack can last from one moment to several minutes. In severe paroxysmal tachycardia, the onset of symptoms may drag on for several days.
In patients with the specified diagnosis, a stable high heart rate is observed throughout the attack. Unlike paroxysmal, sinus tachycardia declares itself differently:
- Never develops lightning fast. Deviations are not immediately noticed by patients.
- The maximum increase in heart rate can reach 120 beats per minute.
- The correct sinus rhythm is maintained.
- The patient has a feeling of lack of air against the background of shortness of breath.
- There is weakness, slight malaise, dizziness, fatigue.
Those forms of tachycardia that are caused by diseases of the heart or internal organs can negatively affect the prognosis of the patient's life and lead to serious complications, one of which is heart failure. With this disease, the volume of blood ejection is significantly reduced, which causes a malfunction in the circulatory system. Along with the increase in myocardial contractions, the level of filling the ventricles with blood decreases significantly, and as a result of this, cardiac output is reduced, hypotension (low blood pressure) develops. The consequence of this violation is the deterioration of blood circulation, which inevitably leads to poor-quality trophic tissue of the brain and internal organs.
Speaking about the danger of tachycardia, one cannot but mention the contractile function of the myocardium. Against the background of a long-term manifestation of a heart rhythm disturbance, the efficiency of the heart muscle decreases, and the volumes of the atria and ventricles increase. The result of this problem can be arrhythmogenic cardiopathy, which is a real threat to human life.
Serious disturbances in cardiac activity can be indicated by rhythm disturbances at low pressure. Tachycardia in this case is often an additional symptom of poisoning, intense bleeding, severe pain. Separate clinical signs are characteristic of low blood pressure. Therefore, symptoms of tachycardia can be supplemented by nausea, dizziness, migraine, ripples and "flies" in front of the eyes, hand tremors.
Different types of the disease appear with or without the indicated symptoms. In addition, the symptoms of tachycardia can be pronounced or be more erased. With the described clinical picture, another disease can be diagnosed - angina pectoris. This deviation in heart rate is often paroxysmal. One way or another, if any symptoms of arrhythmia appear, you need to urgently contact a cardiologist and undergo an examination.
Diagnostic Methods
The question of why tachycardia is dangerous can be answered without much difficulty, remembering the complications to which it can lead. If a person has experienced tangible changes in the work of the heart, associated with a rapid heartbeat, the first thing he needs to do is visit a specialist and undergo electrocardiography. This is a well-known, familiar diagnostic procedure that can be performed in any outpatient medical facility. The conclusion of the ECG allows the doctor to evaluate the frequency and rhythm of heart contractions.
In the case of paroxysmal tachycardia of a moderate type, they resort to the method of daily monitoring or, as it is also called, Holter ECG. To completely exclude the presence of heart diseases and abnormalities in the patient, the method of echocardiography, which is largely similar to ultrasound, is used. This is a non-invasive informative procedure that allows you to determine:
- dimensions of cameras;
- wall thickness and contractile function of the myocardium;
- localization of sites that work with deviations;
- valve disorders.
In the case of congenital malformations, magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed.
In tachycardia, invasive diagnostic methods are also used, one of which is an electrophysiological study. The procedure is applied when certain indications are available. Most often, they resort to it before operating patients with arrhythmia. This type of diagnosis makes it possible to obtain a detailed assessment of the transmission of the impulse and its passage through the myocardium, to determine the mechanism of the occurrence of heart palpitations, especially impaired conduction of the heart muscle.
In addition to instrumental studies, laboratory procedures are mandatory for patients with this diagnosis:
- general blood analysis;
- blood test for hormones.
To establish violations in the activity of the nervous system, the patient needs to undergo electroencephalography.
How to treat with medicines
Given the likely consequences of tachycardia, neglecting the treatment of this disorder is undesirable. To overcome this pathological manifestation, it is necessary first to eliminate the provoking factor. For instance:
- With arrhythmias of a neurogenic nature, the patient needs to take sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, and a course with a psychotherapist.
- If thyrotoxicosis or anemia was the cause of tachycardia, do not do without consulting an endocrinologist and therapist. As a rule, drug correction involves taking hormonal drugs or β-blockers (Amiodarone, Dronedaron, Sotalol). In case of contraindications, the patient is recommended to drink calcium antagonists.
- In case of chronic heart failure, glycosides should be used in combination with β-blockers. If such drugs with tachycardia do not produce the expected effect, the therapy is supplemented with arrhythmic drugs ("Propafenone", "Cordarone", "Disopyramide", "Mexiletine", "Quinidine", "Procainamide", "Flecainide").
If the pressure is reduced, the patient is prescribed drugs that have a lasting effect:
- "Concor." It stabilizes the activity of the nervous system, leads to a reduction in muscle spasms.
- Atenol. Eliminates various types of excitability, anxiety and fear.
Surgical intervention
In isolated cases, doctors recommend treating tachycardia surgically. Among the latest ways to deal with disturbances in the work of the heart muscle, radiofrequency exposure to a weakened myocardial site is often used. The method, which is called radiofrequency ablation, is invasive and its principle is as follows:
- A flexible catheter is inserted into the heart through a blood vessel, through which a radio frequency pulse is transmitted.
- The signal affects the area, the malfunction of which causes a deviation in the rhythm of the heartbeat.
In addition to radio frequencies, cardiac surgeons are often inclined in favor of the choice of treatment with heat and cold. In addition, to prevent the dangerous effects of tachycardia, a decision may be made to install a pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator. Both devices are implanted under the skin. They give a signal when the heart rhythm goes out of norm, and due to this impulse the myocardial function stabilizes. A cardioverter-defibrillator is necessary if tachycardia attacks are repeated frequently and pose a real threat to the patient's life.
Is it possible to use folk remedies
The modern pharmaceutical market is filled with drugs to combat any form of arrhythmia. Meanwhile, many of the drugs are able to have a side effect, negatively affecting the health of the patient. Often, folk remedies become an addition to traditional conservative therapy. Treatment of tachycardia with their help allows you to achieve a more stable result without negative consequences. But, despite the naturalness of the components used, folk recipes can not be used without the advice of a doctor. Some of them are simple and consist of one or two ingredients, others are more complicated, meanwhile, all of them can be beneficial. You can use them in the absence of contraindications, allergies, individual intolerance.
Hawthorn
This is one of the most popular folk medicine for tachycardia. The fruits of hawthorn have long been known for their value for the heart muscle. To eat the berries of this plant is necessary in the form of a decoction. Drink the drink regularly, until the full recovery. It is prepared as follows:
- On 1 tbsp. l berries (they can be used even frozen) use a glass of water.
- The container is put on fire and covered, brought to a boil.
- Cook the broth for 15-20 minutes.
- The cooled and filtered drink is ready to drink. Take twice a day in a glass before meals.
Natural honey
This folk remedy in the treatment of tachycardia can be used only in the absence of an allergy to the bee product. It has high efficiency and is extremely useful for the cardiovascular system due to the content of vitamins and a number of essential trace elements. During the preparation of homemade medicine, you can not deviate from the algorithm below:
- Skip 10 lemons through a meat grinder.
- To citrus add about 10 cloves of garlic, after peeling them from the husks and chopping.
- Pour 1 liter of honey into the mixture , mix everything thoroughly.
- Set aside the composition in a dark place for 3-5 days.
- You need to take the drug for 2 tbsp. l once a day.
Soothing herbal harvest
Moderate tachycardia is effectively treated with a variety of herbal remedies that help strengthen the nervous system. The following prescription has many positive reviews from patients and doctors:
- In an equal ratio mix chamomile flowers and valerian root.
- Then add the same amount of caraway seeds and fennel seeds.
- One tablespoon of raw material requires 250 ml of boiling water.
- Herbal collection should be infused for an hour, after which it is necessary to strain it through cheesecloth and drink without sweetening.
- To use in the evening, before going to bed for 2-3 weeks.
Prevention of tachycardia
The best way to prevent heart disease and arrhythmias is to undergo an annual diagnosis and consult a doctor when the first alarming symptoms appear. As a medical prophylaxis of tachycardia, the doctor may prescribe a course of antiarrhythmic drug.
Of particular importance in the prevention of tachycardia are:
- Daily sports. Not to be confused with onerous debilitating physical activities.
- A regular stay in the fresh air.
- Avoid stressful situations, psycho-emotional shocks, experiences.
- A balanced diet, consisting mainly of plant fiber, calcium and magnesium products.
- . - .
- Continuous screening of cholesterol levels in the body and blood pressure indicators.
- A complete rejection of the use of alcoholic, energy and caffeinated drinks.
You can provoke tachycardia by self-medication, that is, by taking medications used at the discretion of the patient, and not on the recommendation of a doctor. Therefore, do not neglect qualified medical assistance and if you feel unwell, manifestation of new incomprehensible symptoms, be sure to consult a specialist.