Tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh) is the medical term for a heart rate over 100 beats a minute. Many types of irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, can cause tachycardia.
A fast heart rate isn’t always a concern. For instance, the heart rate usually rises during exercise or as a response to stress.
Tachycardia may not cause any symptoms or complications. But sometimes it’s a warning of a medical condition that needs attention. Some forms of tachycardia can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Such problems may include heart failure, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
Treatment for tachycardia may include specific actions or movements, medicine, cardioversion, or surgery to control a rapid heartbeat.
Types
There are many different types of tachycardia. Sinus tachycardia refers to a usual increase in the heart rate often caused by exercise or stress.
Other types of tachycardia are grouped according to cause and the part of the heart causing the fast heart rate. Common types of tachycardia caused by irregular heart rhythms include:
- Atrial fibrillation, also called AFib. This is the most common type of tachycardia. Chaotic, irregular electrical signals start in the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria. These signals trigger a fast heartbeat. A-fib may be temporary. But some episodes won’t end unless treated.
- Atrial flutter. Atrial flutter is similar to A-fib, but heartbeats are more organized. Episodes of atrial flutter may go away by themselves or may need treatment. People who have atrial flutter also often have A-fib at other times.
- Ventricular tachycardia. This irregular heart rhythm starts in the lower heart chambers, called the ventricles. The fast heart rate doesn’t let the ventricles fill and squeeze to pump enough blood to the body. Episodes may be brief and last only a couple of seconds without causing harm. But episodes lasting more than a few seconds can be life-threatening.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Supraventricular tachycardia is a broad term that includes irregular heart rhythms that start above the lower heart chambers. Supraventricular tachycardia causes episodes of a pounding heartbeat that begin and end abruptly.
- Ventricular fibrillation. This serious condition can be deadly if the heart rhythm isn’t reset within minutes. Rapid, chaotic electrical signals cause the lower heart chambers to quiver instead of squeezing in a coordinated way. Most people with this type of irregular heart rhythm have heart disease or have had a serious injury, such as being struck by lightning.
Symptoms
Some people with tachycardia have no symptoms. The fast heartbeat may be discovered when a physical exam or heart tests are done for another reason.
In general, tachycardia may cause these symptoms:
- Racing, pounding heartbeat or flopping in the chest, called palpitations.
- Chest pain.
- Fainting.
- Lightheadedness.
- Rapid pulse.
- Shortness of breath.
When to see a doctor
Many things can cause tachycardia. If you feel like your heart is beating too fast, make an appointment for a health checkup.
Seek immediate medical help if you have:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weakness.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Fainting or near fainting.
A type of tachycardia called ventricular fibrillation is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
During ventricular fibrillation, blood pressure drops dramatically. The person’s breathing and pulse stop because the heart is not pumping any blood to the body. This also is called cardiac arrest. The person usually falls down, also called collapses.
If this happens, do the following:
- Call 911 or the emergency number in your area.
- Start CPR. CPR helps keep blood flowing to the organs until other treatments can start.
- If you’re not trained in CPR or worried about giving rescue breaths, then provide hands-only CPR. Push hard and fast on the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute until paramedics arrive. The American Heart Association suggests doing compressions to the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive.” You don’t need to do rescue breathing.
- Have someone get an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is nearby. An AED is a portable device that delivers a shock to reset the heart rhythm. No training is needed to use the device. The AED tells you what to do. It’s programmed to give a shock only when appropriate.
Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | WebMD
Tachycardia: Fast Heart Rate | Heart .org
