Tachycardia: what to do? Symptoms and remedies

Introduction

A run, a strong emotion, stress, intense physical exertion, fever, drugs, heart disease  or hormonal imbalances: these are all reasons that accelerate the heartbeat, a phenomenon known as tachycardia.
The increased heart rate is not good for the heart because the muscle consumes more oxygen and becomes fatigued .
What is the normal rhythm of the heart?

An adult person, at rest, has a frequency  between 60 and 100 beats per minute . When you exceed 100 beats, you are in the presence of tachycardia. There are so many situations that make the heart beat faster.

In most cases, the increase in rhythm is due to an increased demand for blood in the tissues (during physical activity) or in response to stimulation due to drugs or food (caffeine or alcoholic beverages) or, again, in response to a strong psychophysical emotion, not only due to anxiety , but also beautiful music or a special meeting.

The postprandial tachycardiait typically occurs after eating, usually a large meal. On the other hand, when tachycardia occurs at rest, suddenly, the reason can be the most disparate.
Excessive vasodilation caused, for example, by drug therapy for too strong hypotension , can accelerate the heartbeat to restore normal blood pressure. A heart can pump faster because it is decompensating: having less force of contraction ( heart failure ) it tries to increase the rate to still ensure that the blood reaches all tissues.
Increased heart rhythm can also be a symptom of other diseases that do not directly affect the heart. L ‘ hyperthyroidism , for example, or l’anemia are among these, while the link with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is more controversial.
How the heart rhythm is regulated

The heart muscle is able to contract on its own, but is controlled by the nervous system. In fact, the heart has some cells, called pacemaker cells, which generate an electrical impulse able to make the muscle bundles of the atria and ventricles contract in a rhythmic way, which pump blood, giving rise to the heartbeat.
The nervous system does not give rise to the heartbeat but, through the vagus nerve , it can speed it up or slow it down, affecting the activity of the pacemaker and the frequency of impulses it transmits. When something disrupts this complex impulse transmission system, it can happen that the heart beats too fast ( tachycardia ), too slowly ( bradycardia) or with an irregular rhythm ( arrhythmia ).

The factors that can cause, directly or indirectly, alterations in the electrical system of the heart are many and, in cases not to be underestimated, are those that are characterized by an irregular heartbeat , that is , arrhythmias .
The most common disorders are: atrial fibrillation , atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (TPSV), ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation.

Consult the centers that have declared to be specialized in Tachycardia:
Centers specialized in Tachycardia

Symptoms

The increase in heart rate due to a heart beating too hard or too fast (tachycardia), whatever the cause, gives the perception of heart in the throat .

These sensations can be felt in the chest , throat or neck and can occur during an activity or even when sitting or lying down. In most cases, this symptom is benign. However, if it occurs often or other disorders appear, it is good not to underestimate the problem.

Clinical signs that need to be considered include: dizziness , confusion, dizziness, fainting, fainting, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, pain,feeling of pressure or tension in the chest , jaw or arm, increased sweating. In some people, tachycardia does not cause particular symptoms and is only discovered during a doctor’s visit or with an electrocardiogram .

Consult the health facilities that perform an Electrocardiogram (ECG):
Where to do an electrocardiogram (ECG)?

When to see your doctor

Tachycardia is a benign symptom , but when it occurs more frequently and with irregular beats, or in the presence of other symptoms, it is good to consult a doctor to identify the cause.
When the heart beats too fast, it tries to compensate for a reduction in contraction force to effectively pump blood around the body ( heart failure or decompensation ). The organs and tissues, therefore, do not receive the optimal amount of oxygen and for this reason, in addition to an increase in heart rate, palpitations, irregular heartbeat or a feeling of discomfort in the chest can occur.

The prolonged tachycardiait is harmful to the heart because it exposes it to excessive strain , which can lead to damage to the muscle (myocardium). In case of even momentary fainting (syncope) , difficulty breathing or chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes , it is necessary to go to the emergency room .

Causes that trigger tachycardia

Tachycardia is caused by an alteration in the generation or transmission of electrical impulses that control the heart’s pumping action.

The causes can be very different. Those of a non-cardiac nature are distinguished: intense physical exercise , strong emotions , sudden stress ( fear ), anxiety , fever , smoking habit , abuse of alcohol or caffeinated beverages , drug side effects , drug abuse ( cocaine ), electrolyte imbalance due to the excess / absence of mineralsnecessary for the correct generation of electrical impulses ( intense dehydration ), overactive thyroid gland ( hyperthyroidism ).

Cardiocirculatory problems include: crisis of hypertension or hypotension , damage to the myocardium following a heart attack, anemia , abnormal transmission system of the heart’s electrical impulses present since birth (congenital heart disease, including long QT syndrome), disease or congenital anomaly of the heart.

The tachycardia after meals may mainly arise for two reasons: one is the source mechanical, due to the excessive filling of the stomach and the other of nervous origin , due to an increase in the activity of the vagus nerve that innervates both the heart and the gastrointestinal system.
After a large meal, especially if you have introduced foods and drinks that tend to release a lot of gas , the stomach swells, especially in the upper left part which is just below the heart which, not being able to contract freely, can alter the rhythm of contractions. Postprandial tachycardia can be accompanied by breathing difficulties , since the swollen stomach also presses on the diaphragm muscle that is under the lungs, but also due to the alteration of the heartbeat itself. Simultaneously, the vagus nervestimulated by the swelling of the stomach, it increases the frequency of heartbeats , causing tachycardia that occurs after meals.
It is always the action of the vagus nerve that favors a series of psychoemotional symptoms that are associated: anguish, sweating, fainting. These clinical signs are characteristic of the vaso-vagal syndrome that many experience in situations of severe anxiety and stress. In people who suffer from stomach problems or have digestive disorders ( food intolerances , bloating, dyspepsia ), tachycardia after eating can occur more frequently.

There is also nocturnal tachycardia. This is rarely attributable to heart problems. In most cases it is due to other factors, such as particular emotional states or physiological alterations: anxiety and stress, panic attacks , depression , excessive consumption of alcohol, nicotine, coffee and drugs, poor digestion or an excessively large meal, gastric reflux .

It is possible that in the morning , while you are still lying in bed, you may experience tachycardia when you wake up . As soon as the eyes are opened, in addition to an increase in the heartbeat, there is a stiffening and a sense of tension spread throughout the bodyposters. This tachycardia upon awakening is due to a form of morning anxiety that is characterized by the presence of these symptoms in which it is as if the body itself already knows that waking up means running into a difficult day.

The importance of resting tachycardia has recently been discovered . Increased heart rate without any known external stimulus is an important risk factor. People with a resting tachycardia have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death ( stroke , myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac arrest ).
However, it must be considered that reducing the number of beats, with the use of oneappropriate therapy and the right drugs , decreases the likelihood of these events occurring.

Even pregnancy can cause an increased heart rate. Especially in the second part of gestation, tachycardia in pregnancy is a common condition.
Excluding other underlying heart problems, an increase of about 10-20 beats per minute is normal because the baby’s growth requires increased blood flow and so the mother’s heart, having to beat for two, is subjected to greater strain.
Sudden palpitations and the sensation of having a “heart in the throat” are therefore physiological. The weight of the belly, pushing on the ribcage, can increase the feeling of oppression which can also promote breathlessness. However, tachycardia in pregnancy can also be due to anemia due to an iron deficiency , given the increased need for the baby to grow. Contrary to popular belief, even too low blood pressure can trigger tachycardia attacks.

The tachycardia in children is not uncommon. Around the age of 4-5 , children begin to become aware of their heartbeat. The little one may be frightened by a possible acceleration, perhaps due to onefright or sudden exertion . It is enough to place a hand on the baby’s chest to understand if the young heart is undergoing a significant acceleration and, to reduce the tachycardia, it can be relaxed and relaxed .
Usually, a healthy heart naturally returns to its regular rhythm. If, on the other hand, these palpitations are sudden, recurrent and have a very high heart rate, with no apparent cause, then it is necessary to do a cardiological investigation because, even if rare (one case in 25,000 births) it could be a signal of paroxysmal tachycardia .

Consult the centers that have declared to be specialized in Congenital Heart Diseases :
Centers specialized in congenital heart disease

Types of tachycardia

Clinically, paroxysmal tachycardia and sinus tachycardia are distinguished.

• The paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and Wolff-Parkinson-White
  is a cardiac arrhythmia due to electrical abnormal pulse generation from a different point from the main one (sinoatrial node) and takes over the control of the cardiac rhythm for a time more or less long. The heart rate can vary between 120 and 200 beats per minute , depending on the location of this anomalous center.
  The causes are various: organic lesions of the heart (ischemia, rheumatic or hypertensive myocarditis), drug poisoning or gastrocardiac reflexes. The tachycardia attacks have different lengths and can be accompanied by anxiety, sweating, hypotension, sensation of palpitations (palpitations, heart pounding).
  This high-frequency arrhythmia is characterized by suddenly appearing and extinguishing: it can last from a few moments to longer times. It can also occur in young people, when they make an important physical effort. The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndromeis a form in which the heart rate can be very high and dangerous and is a medical emergency is because the heart is unable to pump blood into the arteries in an appropriate way, both because it can degenerate into fibrillation ventricular.
• Sinus tachycardia
  Much more frequent and not dangerous, is the increase in the frequency of heartbeats beyond the normal value, due to an increase in sinus rhythm (generated by the sinus node).
  It is triggered by anxiety, exercise, hyperthyroidism, coffee abuse, smoking , anemia, fever, hypotension, dizziness, and medications . The onset and disappearance are always gradual, never sudden.
  The treatment of sinus tachycardia are clearly linked becausewhich determines the appearance of the symptom, including, often, anxiety. In those who suffer from panic attacks, for example, tachycardia suggests a heart attack and this fear activates a self-sustaining anxiety-producing system. In these cases, the solution of tachycardia cannot be separated from a targeted cognitive-behavioral psychotherapeutic intervention. The case of sinus tachycardias due to stable and serious diseases, such as heart disease or anemia, is quite different.

There are other types of heart rhythm disorders that can cause tachycardia. The most common are:

• Atrial Fibrillation
  This condition is caused by disordered, irregular electrical impulses that reach the heart’s upper chambers (atria) causing the atria to contract rapidly, irregularly, weakly and uncoordinatedly.
  Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of tachycardia , occurs with advancing age and is more common in people with cardiovascular disease. It can also be associated with over-functioning of the thyroid gland ( hyperthyroidism) and lung disease . Several other factors besides familiarity can contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation, including alcohol abuse, drug use, and smoking.
• Atrial flutter
  This condition is similar to atrial fibrillation, but is characterized by the fact that the atria contract rhythmically at a high frequency. Less common than atrial fibrillation, it has the same symptoms, causes, and possible complications . About a third of people with atrial flutter also suffer from atrial fibrillation. Episodes of atrial flutter may resolve on their own or require specific therapy.
• Ventricular fibrillation
  It is an arrhythmia that causes a disordered contraction of the ventricles that no longer pump blood efficiently. It can cause death within minutes , unless you intervene with a defibrillator that can deliver an electric shock, through the pads placed on the chest, and resolve the arrhythmia. Ventricular fibrillation can occur following a heart attack. Most people with ventricular fibrillation have cardiovascular disease (heart disease).

Palpitations and tachycardia

The palpitations are a relatively common disorder , usually neither serious nor dangerous, but can be quite annoying.
They are felt in the chest, throat or neck, during an activity or when sitting or lying quietly. When do the palpitations, also known as pulse-pounding , it feels as if his heart was beating too hard or too much rate (tachycardia). In other cases it may feel as if a beat is skipping (tachyarrhythmia). As a symptom of an arrhythmia, they should be investigated to rule out other heart disorders ranging from heart attack to heart failure (decompensation) to valve dysfunction. However, less than half of the patients with palpitations have arrhythmia.
Risk factors

Any condition that puts too much strain on the heart can increase the risk of tachycardia.
There are some clinical conditions that can also include a symptom such as tachycardia. They are heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes, anemia, anxiety or psychological stress.
Lifestyle can also play a role in the development of the symptom: smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, use of drugs (especially cocaine).
Other risk factors for tachyarrhythmias are: older age and having family members who have heart rhythm disturbances.

Diagnosis

The doctor, usually the cardiologist, to determine the causes of tachycardia takes into account a series of elements: present disorders (next medical history), the state of health over time (past medical history) and the possible presence of the symptom also in family members ( family history).
A series of tests can be helpful in measuring heart rate and establishing a link between the possible causes of the increased heart rate.
Tests indicated for the diagnosis of tachycardia are:

• Electrocardiogram ( ECG ). It is the exam of choice, because it records the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart. It therefore helps to identify the type of tachycardia;
• Holter: since it is difficult to detect the episode of tachycardia, the doctor may also ask you to wear a portable ECG device (Holter) for 24 hours during the normal course of daily activities;
• Electrophysiological study:  this is an examination that studies the electrical system of the heart and is used to identify the mechanism and the site of the problem that causes tachycardia;
• Echocardiogram : This is an ultrasound scan (sonography) that produces a moving image of the heart. Through the echocardiogram it is possible to identify areas of poor blood circulation, abnormal heart valves and alterations in the functioning of the heart muscle;
• Tilt test or passive orthostatic stimulation test:  Helps doctors better understand how tachycardia contributes to fainting. Doctors observe how the heart and nervous system respond to changes in position.

The cardiologist may also perform other tests to identify the non-cardiac cause of the disorder. The following can therefore be useful: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), coronary angiography , chest X-ray.

Treatment and remedies

Therapy is aimed at eliminating, or at least controlling, the causes that cause tachycardia.
If the cause of the disorder is a cardiovascular problem or an excessive thyroid function (hyperthyroidism), its treatment can prevent, or minimize, the episodes of tachycardia.

In addition to slowing the heartbeat during the attack, treatment must aim to prevent future episodes and minimize complications.

• Slow down your heart rate:  A fast heart rate can return to normal on its own. However, if it is not a temporary episode due to a specific cause, it may be necessary to take antiarrhythmic drugs ;
• Another procedure is cardioversion : with this technique the heart is stimulated by electrical impulses transmitted by a special instrument, the automatic external defibrillator (AED), through electrodes. Pacing through the AED restores a normal heart rhythm. The defibrillator is generally used in an emergency or when medications have not been effective.

In detail, to prevent tachycardia episodes, there are various options:

• Drugs:  the antiarrhythmic agents are drugs that, when used regularly, can prevent the occurrence of tachycardia.
  These include flecainide which blocks sodium and potassium channels and is used for supraventricular arrhythmias. Other types of medicines, such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers , can be prescribed alternatively or in combination with anti-arrhythmic drugs. In particular, beta-blockers, such as propranolol , have an antiarrhythmic effect because they block (beta 1) receptors, slowing the heart rate.
  As a side effect, these drugs reduce the strength of the heart’s contraction. They are particularly used for arrhythmias due to excessive vagal tone. Other drugs (such as amiodarone) block sodium channels in their inactivated state and potassium channels. They are effective on all cardiac areas, but little used due to high toxicity. Calcium antagonists, such as verapamil , block calcium channels and are used in supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Some of these are also used in angina pectoris for vasodilating activity;
• Trans-catheter ablation : This  procedure is used when tachycardia is caused by the appearance of an alternate electrical pathway for cardiac pacing. This technique selectively destroys the affected part of the heart and interrupts the abnormal electrical circuits.
  This procedure is used in cases where the drugs are not effective or are not tolerated by the patient. The surgery, which lasts two to three hours, consists of inserting thin and soft probes (catheters) through a vein to the heart, to record its electrical activity. Once traced, the part of the heart tissue where the anomaly is present is destroyed (ablation) using high frequency radio waves that generate heat, through the scaler catheter;
• Heart stimulator (pacemaker): Some forms of tachycardia can be treated by implanting a pacemaker. It is a battery-powered pulse generator with one or more tubes (leads) that transmit electrical impulses to the heart . The device is implanted under the collarbone. The leads are guided to the heart through the veins.
  The pacemaker controls the heartbeat and generates the electrical impulses necessary to change the rate appropriately. Most of these devices can record some information about heart activity. This function is particularly useful for monitoring the functioning of the heart. Patients with a pacemaker have regular checkups to monitor cardiac and pacemaker function;
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (in English implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, hence the acronym ICD). When the patient is at risk of having a tachycardia episode that could be life-threatening, the doctor may recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The device, the size of a small mobile phone, is surgically implanted in the chest. The ICD constantly monitors the heartbeat and, in the event of a possible increase in heart rate, provides with calibrated precision electrical impulses that restore normal heart rhythm ;
• Surgery:  In some cases, open heart surgery may be needed to clear the electrical pathway that causes the tachycardia.
  One type of intervention, with the “labyrinth” technique, consists in making small incisions in the heart tissue to create scar tissue (scars) that does not conduct the impulse. This blocks the stray electrical impulses that are at the origin of some types of tachycardia. Surgery is usually only used when other treatment options have not given the desired results.

Diseases related to tachycardia

The type, frequency and duration of tachycardia, as well as the presence of other heart disorders, can lead to complications of varying severity.
The main ones include:

• Formation of blood clots which can cause a stroke or heart attack (myocardial infarction). The altered heart rhythm makes the blood more at risk of aggregating and forming clots. In some patients with heart rhythm problems, the cardiologist may prescribe a drug to keep the blood thinner (slightly clotted). For some years new oral anticoagulant drugs (Nao) have been available;
• Heart failure (decompensation), which is the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to deliver to organs and tissues
• Frequent episodes of fainting or loss of consciousness
• Sudden death, usually associated with ventricular fibrillation.

How to prevent tachycardia

The most effective way to prevent tachycardia is to act on the factors that trigger it and, when therapy is already underway, take medications and promote a lifestyle for cardiovascular health.
This condition is useful for reducing the risk of complications. If symptoms worsen or new ones develop, it is important to inform your doctor.

A good strategy is to counteract the various risk factors by adopting a varied and balanced diet, not to smoke, to keep blood pressure within normal levels (120/80 mm Hg) , to carry out moderate and regular physical activity .

• Nutrition:  a varied diet, rich in vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes and fish, made up of a modest portion of saturated fat and cholesterol, low in salt and sugar, decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
  The ideal is to eat at least five 80g portions of fruit and vegetables every day, rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, which have antioxidant and protective activity. An important risk factor for the onset of cardiovascular diseases is cholesterol, in particular of the Ldl type (low density lipoprotein). These are mainly made up of fat and a small amount of protein, which is why they tend to deposit in the artery wall creating the plaques that clog the vessels.
  The increase in LDL cholesterol is favored by the intake of foods containing saturated fats and cholesterol, such as: sausages, red meats and fatty meats, lard and bacon, butter and cream, egg yolk (yolk), cheeses, sweets and biscuits , foods that contain coconut or palm oil (high in saturated fat). To lower cholesterol with diet, foods rich in polyunsaturated fats are preferred , which include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, extra virgin olive oil or sunflower seeds. Fats are very caloric, so it is important to consume a moderate amount .
  Nutrition advice is also and above all valid for preventing tachycardia after eating. For this ailment it is also importantdivide more meals throughout the day (at least three main meals and two snacks), taking small amounts of food each time and leaving the table before feeling full . The foods to be preferred are all fresh ones (fruit, vegetables, fish, white meats, etc.), well digestible, low in fat, cooked in a simple way (steamed, grilled, boiled), with few condiments (one above all the extra virgin olive oil), preferably added raw. To avoid are the fats and elaborate dishes that require a long digestion;
• Smoking: it  is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease because it makes the arteries less elastic (arteriosclerosis), afactor involved in the development of arterial hypertension.
  Smoking also significantly increases the risk of a stroke: by narrowing the arteries, it makes blood clots more likely.
• Control of hypertension: a constantly elevated pressure (values ​​above the 90 / 140mmHg threshold) subjects the heart to excessive strain, increasing the risk of heart attack. Hypertension can also be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption, shedding extra pounds, and doing regular physical activity. From the point of view of nutrition, the advice for cardiovascular prevention is valid.
• Alcohol :  Alcohol does not contain any vitamins or other nutrients, it only gives calories. Drinking wine or other spirits regularly increases blood pressure and weight. Men should not drink more than two glasses of wine a day, women only one glass .
  Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation): both of these factors can increase the risk of having a stroke;
• Weight: Being overweight forces the heart to work harder, which can cause blood pressure to increase. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a few pounds can make a big difference in blood pressure and overall health.
• Exercise:  Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and cycling for half an hour a day are recommended. More demanding activities, such as soccer and tennis, may not be suitable;
• Stress Control:  Avoid unnecessary stress and learn techniques to cope and manage everyday stress.

Consult the health facilities that carry out a cardiological examination:
Where to do a Cardiology Visit?

Prevent triggers

Palpitations and tachycardia are not dangerous, but they can be very annoying. Some situations can trigger the symptom, so it is useful to avoid the factors and situations that cause them, such as:

• Decrease anxiety and stress . Anxiety and stress, including panic attacks, are one of the main causes of non-dangerous palpitations. Relaxation exercises, yoga, tai chi or aromatherapy can help you relax;
• Eliminate or limit stimulants , such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or amphetamines
• Do not use drugs , especially cocaine;
• Avoid stimulant medications such as cough and cold medications and some dietary and herbal supplementswith caffeine and ginseng.

Interview with dr. Andrea Di Lenarda

President of Anmco and Director of the Cardiovascular and Sports Medicine Complex Structure of Trieste

Is tachycardia a widespread disorder in the population?

In people’s subjective perception, tachycardia is a very common symptom, but in most cases it is not an expression of a heart disease.
In our daily life, our body is subjected to stimuli that increase the frequency both physical (sporting activity, running) and emotional (anger, anxiety, stress). It is therefore a very widespread symptom. In some cases, people who are physically / professionally active, in stressful times for family, work or other reasons, may feel this symptom more frequently. At least 20% of people who come to cardiology experience this symptom .

In which age group is it most present?

Young people usually do not pay attention to it also because they tend not to suffer from it. Older people do little physical activity and are less prone to stress. The heart rate usually increases especially in people between 40 and 65 years old . It is women who manifest this symptom the most because they are very sensitive to their body.

When does this symptom become dangerous?

A tachycardia is physiological when the perception of the beat is regular, even if accelerated.
That is, one beat after another is heard, but at the same temporal distance from one above. It is physiological in the presence of stress : if there is a fright, there are more beats, but they are regular. The increase in frequency is always physiological if the increasing or decreasing trend is the same. At the end of the effort, the frequency gradually returns to normal. If there is this in the perception of rhythmicity and graduality, we are in a physiological condition.

It is different to perceive a tachycardia that suddenly ends. Another characteristic of a non-physiological form, but not for this certain sign of disease, is the irregular sequence of the beats. The person perceives extrasystoles, that is, abnormal beats within a normal rhythm. They are not strictly normal, but they are not necessarily of concern. There is a third case of non-physiological heartbeat and it is the irregular one.

What can be the causes of a fast and irregular heartbeat?

The causes of non-physiological tachycardias can be different. If they occur in a person who has already documented heart disease (heart attack, hypertensive heart disease, valvular disease), the appearance of paroxysmal extrasystole is a reason to return to the doctor. If the tachycardia is distinctly irregular it could be an atrial fibrillation. In a patient who already has other disorders, the increased heart rate may be a symptom of the worsening of his condition.
In patients with heart disease, the appearance of a new symptom such as tachycardia is the signal that the therapy must be adjusted, so it is good to consult your doctor.

In the presence of tachycardia, what signs indicate that it is necessary to go to the emergency room?

The situation is serious and first aid is needed when tachycardia is associated with fainting or near fainting or other acute symptoms: difficulty in breathing ( dyspnoea ), chest and back sternal pain . If a totally irregular arrhythmia is perceived, an emergency intervention is not necessary, but you must go to the doctor within 24-48 hours because, if it is persistent, it could be atrial fibrillation, a condition which, if not treated, leads to the formation of clots that can expose the person to heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism .
The same is true for extrasystoles: up to 200 per day are part of life for healthy people. This changes whether they are continuous or frequent. Some extrasystoles a day are physiological as a stimulus to too much coffee, stress, anger. To measure them just put your hand on your wrist. If there are many, the doctor may request 24 hour monitoring (Holter) to describe the situation in detail.

What to do when tachycardia occurs?

There are drugs that slow the heart down: they are beta blockers . However, the effect occurs within one to two hours after taking it: too long for a symptom that lasts minutes. Therefore, if for the pathological forms the use of drugs is under medical supervision, for the physiological form it is necessary to act on the triggering factors. The ideal is to get out of the stressful condition and regain balance; take a chamomile tea , rest , get out of the stressful place, go for a walk . One of the things to check in case of persistent tachycardia is the presence of non-cardiac pathologies, even if not serious.
A young woman of childbearing age, for example, may be anemic and this condition increases her heart rate. An over-functioning thyroid stimulates the heart.

Can lifestyle be effective in reducing the risk of an increased heart rate?

Beyond the good rules that we all know for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, a specific advice for those suffering from tachycardia is to practice physical activity, even light, but constant. The training causes the heart to activate the vagus nerve with a lowering of the frequency in the order of 10-15 beats per minute .

How does our heart and vascular system work?

Questions and answers

WHY DOES THE HEART BEAT FAST FOR NO REASON?

Most of the time, your heart rate increases due to stress and anxiety, or because you overdo it with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. They can also occur in pregnancy. When tachycardia occurs often or does not resolve spontaneously, palpitations may be a sign of a heart condition that requires medical attention.

IS A HEART RATE OF 120 DANGEROUS?

In most cases, sinus tachycardia is normal. The increased heart rate does not harm the heart and does not require medical attention. After a brisk walk of 10 to 15 minutes, for example, your heart rate calmly exceeds 110 to 120 beats per minute.

CAN DEHYDRATION CAUSE TACHYCARDIA?

Dehydration, for example from a disorder such as diarrhea or from antihypertensive therapy with too much diuretic, can reduce the body’s blood volume. To compensate, the heart beats faster, increasing the heart rate and causing palpitations to be felt. If you are showing signs of dehydration, such as dizziness or weakness, you need to supplement your fluids by drinking water or salt supplements.