Tachycardia

What is Tachycardia?
Tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh) is a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute (BPM) while at rest.

Normal vs. Abnormal: It is normal for your heart to race during exercise or stress. It is abnormal if it races while you are sitting still or sleeping.

Symptoms

When the heart beats too fast, it cannot pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. You may feel:

• Palpitations: A racing, fluttering, or "flopping" sensation in the chest.
• Dizziness & Lightheadedness: Due to low oxygen reaching the brain.
• Shortness of Breath.
• Chest Pain.
• Syncope: Fainting.

Types of Tachycardia

Type	Description	Severity
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)	Chaotic, irregular electrical signals in the upper chambers.	Moderate (Stroke risk).
SVT (Supraventricular)	An electrical "short circuit" causes sudden bursts of rapid heart rate.	Usually not life-threatening but uncomfortable.
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)	Rapid signals in the lower chambers. The heart can't fill with blood.	High Emergency.
Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)	The heart quivers instead of pumping.	Fatal within minutes without CPR/Defibrillation.

⚠️ WHEN TO CALL 911
Seek emergency help immediately if you have:

• Chest pain lasting more than a few minutes.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Fainting.

Causes & Triggers

Disruptions to the heart's electrical system can be caused by:

• Lifestyle: Excess caffeine, alcohol, or smoking.
• Stress: Sudden fright or severe anxiety.
• Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism), or Electrolyte imbalance.
• Drugs: Stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamines.

Diagnosis

Doctors use these tools to "catch" the rhythm:

• ECG (Electrocardiogram): Records electrical signals for a few seconds.
• Holter Monitor: A portable device worn for 24-48 hours to record heart activity during daily life.
• Event Monitor: Worn for weeks; you press a button when you feel symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment aims to slow the heart down and prevent future episodes.

1. Vagal Maneuvers (Self-Care)

You can sometimes stop an SVT episode by stimulating the Vagus Nerve:

• Coughing: Forcefully.
• Bearing Down: Like you are having a bowel movement.
• Ice: Placing an ice pack on your face for a few seconds.

2. Medical Procedures

• Cardioversion: A controlled electric shock to reset the heart rhythm.
• Catheter Ablation: Burning or freezing the tiny spot in the heart causing the short circuit.
• Pacemaker / ICD: An implanted device that detects dangerous rhythms and shocks the heart back to normal.

3. Medications

• Beta Blockers & Calcium Channel Blockers: Slow the heart rate.
• Blood Thinners: (Like Warfarin) Used in AFib to prevent strokes.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.