Tachycardia A medical term for an increased resting heart rate that can occur when the heart beats more than 100 beats per minute. Several factors can cause the heart to beat too fast, including anxiety, underlying health conditions, and problems with the heart's electrical system.
The heart often returns to a normal heart rate on its own, but if another medical condition is causing a fast heart rate, tachycardia may require treatment.
There are three main types of tachycardia:
- Sinus tachycardia: Typically, a healthy adult's resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Sinus tachycardia causes the heart to beat faster than normal. This happens because the heart's natural pacemaker (sino-atrial node) sends signals faster than usual. When you exercise, your heart rate often rises above 100 beats per minute. This is a normal response to exercise.
- supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): This happens when your heart rate is faster than 100 bpm. In this condition, abnormal electrical signals in the atria (upper chambers of the heart) cause the heart to beat too quickly. This prevents the ventricles from completely filling between beats and reduces blood flow to the body.
- Ventricular tachycardia: This type of tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that begins in the ventricle (the lower atrium of the heart) and causes the heart rate to exceed 100 bpm. This occurs when electrical signals from the ventricles occur faster than usual. This type of tachycardia can also cause blood flow problems and can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.
Each form of tachycardia can cause different symptoms. Most people with sinus tachycardia have few or no symptoms, but some experience heart palpitations, chest pain, and dizziness. On the other hand, supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia cause more symptoms.
Symptoms of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia include:
Several lifestyle and medical factors can contribute to a fast heartbeat. The most common causes of tachycardia are:
- anxiety or emotional distress
- ache
- vigorous exercise
- Fever
- drug
- Problems with the heart's electrical system
Risk factors for supraventricular tachycardia
The most common cause of SVT is a problem with the heart's electrical circuitry. This occurs when normal electrical signals travel from the upper ventricles to the ventricles and then take an additional route back to the atria. This creates a loop in which the heart beats too fast. The following factors may increase your risk of an SVT episode:
Risk factors for ventricular tachycardia
Problems with the heart's electrical system can also cause ventricular tachycardia. Unlike SVT, this type of tachycardia is caused by electrical signals traveling through the ventricles (the two lower heart chambers). Several factors can increase your risk of this condition, including:
- decreased blood flow in the coronary arteries
- Cardiomyopathy (abnormally thick heart muscle)
- side effects of certain medications
- substance use
- sarcoidosis (small inflammatory cells caused by an overactive immune system)
- structural heart disease
- congenital heart disease
If your heart rate is too high or your heart is beating too fast, it is important to talk to your health care provider. Your heart can provide important information about your overall health, so it's important to get a proper diagnosis and start treatment quickly.
During your appointment, your health care provider will ask questions about your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle habits. We will also measure your vitals (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, breathing level) and perform a physical examination. If your healthcare provider suspects tachycardia or another heart problem, he or she may order one or more of the following tests:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): Records the heart's electrical activity.
- Blood tests: Potassium, calcium, magnesium, and thyroid hormone levels are measured to provide a better picture of potential heart problems.
- Holter monitor: Assess heart rate and rhythm during normal and vigorous activity.
- Tilt table test: To monitor your symptoms, heart rate, and blood pressure, you will lie on a table that changes from a lying position to an upright position.
- Genetic testing: It checks for heart rate changes caused by specific genes, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.
- Cardiac imaging tests: Evaluate heart structure and function and look for scar tissue or blockages in the heart arteries (blood vessels) through echocardiography, CT scan, or cardiac MRI.
If you have sinus tachycardia, your healthcare provider will likely treat the cause of your high heart rate. If you need treatment for other types of tachycardia, your healthcare provider will recommend treatments based on your symptoms, severity of your condition, and overall health. Your treatment plan may include a combination of the following:
- Carotid sinus massage: Gentle pressure is applied to specific parts of the carotid artery, but should only be done by a health care provider.
- Vagus nerve manipulation: It involves performing actions such as coughing or closing your nostrils while blowing air through your nose to stimulate the vagus nerve, which may help regulate your heart rate.
- drug: It helps regulate heart rate and rhythm.
- Cardioversion: Shocks are applied to the heart using patches or paddles to restore normal rhythm.
- Catheter Ablation: A catheter is used to damage the cells that cause tachycardia.
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: A device is implanted in the chest to manage irregular heartbeats.
You can't always avoid tachycardia episodes, but you can keep your heart healthy by following these steps to prevent rapid heartbeats from occurring:
- Eat a nutritious, heart-healthy diet
- exercise regularly
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
- Stay hydrated, especially during exercise and in hot climates.
- Avoid smoking
- Management of underlying diseases such as high blood pressure
- See your health care provider annually for a heart health evaluation.
Tachycardia is a disease that occurs when the heart rate rises above 100 beats per minute. There are three types of tachycardia: sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia, each with its own cause.
Not all cases of tachycardia require treatment, but medications and procedures may help improve symptoms. Focusing on lifestyle habits such as eating well, moving your body, and managing stress can also help keep your heart healthy.