An abnormally rapid heart rate. Thresholds for different age, gender, and patient populations exist.
Symptoms of Tachycardia
The following features are indicative of Tachycardia:
shortness of breath
lightheadedness
rapid pulse rate
heart palpitations
chest pain
fainting
It is possible that Tachycardia shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Tachycardia
The following are the most common causes of Tachycardia:
damage to heart tissues
congenital heart conditions
anemia
excessive exercising
sudden stress
high blood pressure
Other Causes of Tachycardia
The following are the less common causes of Tachycardia:
low blood pressure
excessive smoking
fever
excessive alcohol consumption
excessive drinking of caffeinated beverages
hyperthyroidism
Risk Factors for Tachycardia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Tachycardia:
adult age
family history of tachycardia
heavy alcohol use
diabetes
sleep apnea
high blood pressure
anxiety
anemia
underactive thyroid
heavy caffeine use
Prevention of Tachycardia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Tachycardia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
regular exercising
eat a healthy diet
maintain healthy weight
keep cholesterol levels under control
stop smoking
drink at moderate levels
avoid using recreational drugs
limit caffeine usage
control stressful conditions
Occurrence of Tachycardia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Tachycardia cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Tachycardia can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Tachycardia can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Tachycardia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Tachycardia:
ECG (Electrocardiogram): Detects and records heart's electrical activity using small sensors
Electrophysiological test: Confirms the diagnosis or to pinpoint the location of problems in heart's circuitry
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging): Diagnose the moving pictures of how the blood is flowing through the heart and detect irregularities
CT scan (Computerized tomography): Provides a detailed cross-sectional view of the heart
Coronary angiogram: Reveals the potential blockages or abnormalities in heart
Complications of Tachycardia if untreated
Yes, Tachycardia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Tachycardia is left untreated:
heart failure
stroke
sudden cardiac arrest
frequent fainting
Procedures for Treatment of Tachycardia
The following procedures are used to treat Tachycardia:
Open-heart surgery: To destroy an extra electrical pathway causing tachycardia
Pacemaker implantation: Emits an electrical pulse that helps the heart to resume a normal beat
Self-care for Tachycardia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Tachycardia:
regular exercising
eat a healthy diet
Maintain healthy weight: Reduces risk of developing heart diseases
Keep cholesterol levels under control
stop smoking
drink alcohol at moderate levels
avoid using recreational drugs
limit caffeine usage
control stressful conditions
Time for Treatment of Tachycardia
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Tachycardia to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: