Definition
Tachycardia is a
fast or irregular heartbeat, usually over 100 beats per minute to 400 beats per
minute. With a rate so high, the heart can not effectively pump blood with high
levels of oxygen to your body.
Tachycardia may occur in the upper heart chambers (atrial
tachycardia) or lower (ventricular tachycardia).
Causes
Among the causes of tachycardia includes:
Heart-related conditions such as high blood pressure
(hypertension)
Poor blood supply to the heart muscle due to coronary artery
disease (atherosclerosis), coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart muscle
disease (cardiomyopathy), tumors or infections
Other medical conditions such as thyroid disease, certain
lung diseases, electrolyte imbalance and abuse of alcohol or drugs
Emotional stress or ingestion of large amounts of alcohol or
caffeine
Symptoms
Symptoms include tachycardia:
Breathing difficulties
Dizziness
Sudden weakness
Tremor chest
Vertigo
Syncope
Risk Factors
Certain conditions may increase your risk of tachycardia:
Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
Heart failure (weak heart pumping)
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Congenital heart defects (birth condition)
Inflammatory or degenerative heart disease
Chronic lung disease
Treatments for tachycardia ranging from drug treatment
to surgery.
There are several treatment options available for people
with tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia can be (in the lower chambers of the
heart) or headset (in the upper chambers of the heart). Your cardiologist will
select the best treatment for your condition.
Treatment of ventricular tachycardia
Drugs
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Treatment of ventricular fibrillation
External defibrillation
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Drugs
Treatment of atrial flutter
Drugs
Cardiac ablation
Treatments for atrial fibrillation
Drugs
Cardio version
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Cardiac ablation
Surgery
Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes.
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