Tachycardia is a term that refers to a rapid heartbeat of any origin. On average, the heart rate is above 100 bpm. considered tachycardia. At the same time, the rhythm remains correct, that is, the duration of the intervals between contractions of the heart is constant. A condition in which an attack of tachycardia begins unexpectedly and ends just as suddenly is called paroxysmal tachycardia.
The causes of tachycardia are manifold. Tachycardia occurs as a normal, natural reaction to physical and emotional stress, increased body temperature, drinking alcohol, smoking. The heartbeat also increases with a decrease in blood pressure (for example, with bleeding), with a decrease in the level of hemoglobin (anemia), with a purulent infection, malignant tumors, increased thyroid function, and with the use of certain drugs. Finally, there is a group of tachycardias, the root cause of which is associated with the pathology of the heart muscle itself or various disorders in the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Symptoms of tachycardia – palpitations, weakness, dizziness, a feeling of lack of air, a feeling of imminent loss of consciousness.
For a better understanding of the problem, you will need to briefly recall how the heart works. It consists of four cavities (chambers) – two atria on top, two ventricles below. The contraction of the ventricles and atria is coordinated and subject to electrical impulses. In the region of the right atrium there is a plexus of nerve cells, which is called the sinus node. This is a kind of biological generator of electrical impulses (it is also called a “pacemaker”). From it, impulses scatter through the heart and in a certain order cause a contraction of the muscle fibers of the myocardium – a contraction of the heart occurs.
Due to various reasons, the impulses from the sinus node are accelerated, which leads to a rapid heartbeat, which is called sinus tachycardia. In some cases, another pacemaker is formed in the heart, which, by its impulsation, discoordinates the conduction of impulses, which leads to disruption of the normal functioning of the heart. Depending on the location of such a focus, tachycardias are divided into supraventricular, (supraventricular) and ventricular, but localization can be clarified primarily with the help of an ECG. Ventricular tachycardias are the most severe, do not often occur with loss of consciousness, and can even lead to death.
Treatment of tachycardia depends on the causes of development and its specific type. In a number of situations, no treatment is required – just calm down, relax, change your lifestyle, etc., is enough. Sometimes medication is required, but only a doctor can decide on the need to prescribe products after an appropriate examination. The occurrence of tachycardia for no apparent reason should be an occasion for immediate medical attention.