Definition
What is tachycardia?
Tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia (i.e., irregular heart rhythm) characterized by a rapid heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute (bpm). In contrast, a normal, healthy heart beats at a regular rate between 60 and 100 bpm.
Tachycardia can occur for a variety of reasons, such as physical activity, stress, fever, certain medications, caffeine consumption, or underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, thyroid disorders, or electrolyte imbalances.
While abnormal heartbeats can disrupt the flow of blood that brings important oxygen and nutrients to the body, having tachycardia is not always concerning, as it can be a natural reaction to physical and emotional triggers such as physical activity or fear. However, tachycardia episodes can also signify an underlying medical issue that requires attention, and certain types, if left unchecked, can result in heart failure, stroke, or even death.
PLEASE NOTE: This content is meant to provide an overview of tachycardia. If you or someone you know has persistent tachycardia, it is important to seek professional evaluation.
Are there different types of tachycardia?
Three main types of tachycardia are:
- Sinus tachycardia: This type of tachycardia typically presents with exercise and stress. Although the heart rate is faster than normal, the heart is beating properly. While not typically dangerous, it may indicate an underlying condition and should be checked out if it is severe or frequent.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): This type is characterized by a rapid heartbeat that originates from above the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) in either the upper chambers (atria) or the middle region. While this type is rarely life-threatening, if left untreated, it can lead to heart failure.
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT): This rapid heartbeat originates from the heart’s lower chambers, or ventricles. It can be potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly.
How common is tachycardia?
Tachycardia is one of the most diagnosed cardiac arrhythmias in the U.S., after atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It’s estimated that as many as 3 million Americans are affected. While it can occur in people of all ages and backgrounds, it becomes more common as one ages and is more common in women than men.
Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of tachycardia?
The symptoms of tachycardia can vary depending on the underlying cause, the severity of the rapid heartbeat, and individual factors. In some cases, an individual may experience no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic or "silent" tachycardia, and a rapid heartbeat is detected only through medical evaluation or monitoring.
Common symptoms include:
- Palpitations – a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fatigue
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes
- Anxiety or nervousness
What causes tachycardia?
While various factors can cause Tachycardia, the specific cause can vary from person to person and, sometimes, even occur without an identifiable cause, making it essential to have a proper diagnosis and evaluation by a doctor.
Various causes of tachycardia include:
- Physical and emotional triggers: Response to physical activity, stress, anxiety, or strong emotions (often temporary)
- Medical conditions: Including heart conditions, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, or pulmonary embolism
- Medications and substances: Such as caffeine, nicotine, decongestants, cocaine, or amphetamines
- Electrical or structural abnormalities in the heart
What are the risk factors for tachycardia?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing tachycardia, including:
- Age (more common in older adults)
- Underlying heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disorders, or congenital heart defects
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Certain medications or stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, or illegal drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines
- Stress and anxiety
- Family history of heart conditions or arrhythmias
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
What are the side effects of tachycardia?
Tachycardia can cause palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, fainting, or anxiety. Untreated, it may lead to serious complications like heart failure or stroke. Seeking medical evaluation is crucial for diagnosis and management to prevent complications and improve quality of life.
Diagnosis & Treatment
How is tachycardia diagnosed?
The primary method used to diagnose tachycardia is an electrocardiogram (EKG). It records the heart's electrical activity, allowing doctors to detect abnormal heart rhythms and help determine the type and severity of any tachycardia.
Diagnostic methods include:
- Physical examination and medical history review
- Holter monitor, an ambulatory EKG device to be worn over a 24- to 48-hour period
- Event monitors record the heart rhythm intermittently over a period of a month or more
- Exercise stress tests to help evaluate heart function and detect exercise-induced tachycardia
- Blood tests to assess levels of electrolytes, thyroid hormones, or other markers
- Electrophysiological studies (EPS) use electrodes to assess the heart’s electrical system
- Echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create images of the heart
- Cardiac CT uses X-ray imaging to provide images of the heart
- Coronary angiogram uses a dye and special X-rays to show blockages or narrowing inside the coronary arteries
- Tilt table test is used to determine if an individual’s accelerated heart rate causes fainting
Are there different grade levels of tachycardia?
Tachycardia can be categorized into different grades based on the heart rate (bpm) and its impact on the individual. These grades typically include:
- Mild tachycardia: Heart rate is slightly elevated above normal but generally not associated with significant symptoms or complications.
- Moderate tachycardia: Heart rate is moderately elevated, leading to noticeable symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath. This level of tachycardia may require medical evaluation and intervention.
- Severe tachycardia: Heart rate is significantly elevated, causing severe symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, or difficulty breathing. Severe tachycardia may indicate a more serious underlying condition and often requires urgent medical attention.
How is tachycardia treated?
Tachycardia is treated through various methods depending on its type, cause, and severity. Treatment is highly individualized, with personalized plans based on each patient's specific condition and overall health. Additionally, after treatment, patients should continue with regular check-ups and heart monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment plan and to make any necessary adjustments. The following is an overview of common treatment approaches.
Medications, such as antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant drugs to control heart rate and blood clotting
Treat Contributing Conditions:
- Medical Conditions such as hyperthyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, or heart disease
- Lifestyle Changes may include a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and limited stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
- Counseling and Support Groups may be recommended to help manage anxiety or stress
Medical Procedures may include:
- Cardioversion: Uses electrical shocks to restore the heart to a normal rhythm
- Catheter Ablation: Uses heat or cooling to destroy the abnormal heart tissue
- Pacemaker: Device implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): Implanted device that detects and stops abnormal heartbeats by delivering electric shocks
Surgical Procedures may include:
- Maze Procedure: Surgically create scar tissue in the heart to block the electrical signals
- Coronary Bypass Surgery: Improves blood flow to the heart; for tachycardia caused by severe coronary artery disease
Prevention
Can tachycardia be prevented?
Preventing tachycardia involves managing risk factors and underlying conditions. This includes:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that consists of a healthy diet and exercise
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- Managing stress
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting caffeine and other stimulants, including illicit drugs
- Managing underlying health conditions
While complete prevention may not always be possible, adopting these measures can reduce the risk and severity of episodes.
How curable is tachycardia?
Whether tachycardia can be cured depends on its type and underlying conditions. In some cases, such as certain types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), catheter ablation can be curative. However, for tachycardia related to underlying conditions like heart disease or hyperthyroidism, successful treatment of the underlying condition may alleviate symptoms. While some individuals achieve complete resolution with treatment, others may require ongoing management. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care by your doctor are essential for managing tachycardia effectively.
FAQ About Tachycardia
Tachycardia, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and bradycardia are all related to heart rhythm disturbances, but they represent different manifestations of abnormal heart rates.
- Tachycardia refers to a rapid heart rate, typically defined as above 100 beats per minute (bpm) in adults.
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a specific type of arrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular electrical activity in the atria.
- Bradycardia, on the other hand, refers to a slow heart rate, typically defined as below 60 bpm in adults.
While tachycardia, AFib, and bradycardia represent different heart rate disturbances, they can sometimes be related. For example, certain types of tachycardia may predispose individuals to develop AFib, and some conditions that cause bradycardia may also increase the risk of developing tachycardia or AFib. Additionally, episodes of tachycardia or AFib may alternate with periods of bradycardia in some individuals, a phenomenon known as tachy-brady syndrome.
Tachycardia itself isn't usually life-threatening, but its underlying causes, if untreated, can lead to serious complications like heart attack or stroke. Severe symptoms may indicate a medical emergency.
Effectively managing tachycardia, addressing underlying health concerns, and adopting heart-healthy habits are key to reducing the risk of complications and ensuring overall heart health. Regular medical follow-up and monitoring are essential for managing tachycardia and reducing the risk of complications that could impact life expectancy.
If experiencing a tachycardia episode, there are several immediate steps one can take to help manage symptoms and potentially restore normal heart rhythm. These include:
- Deep breathing: Practice slow, deep breathing to help calm the body and potentially slow down the heart rate.
- Vagal maneuvers: Certain physical maneuvers can stimulate the vagus nerve, which may help regulate heart rate. These include techniques like the Valsalva maneuver (breathe out while using your stomach muscles, while not letting air escape from your nose or mouth), coughing forcefully, or immersing the face in ice-cold water.
- Gagging: Gagging can stimulate the vagus nerve and help restore normal heart rhythm. However, this maneuver may not be suitable for everyone and should be performed cautiously.
These maneuvers may not be effective for all types of tachycardia, and individuals should use them cautiously and under the guidance of a healthcare provider. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek immediate medical attention.
The following tachycardia symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. They require immediate evaluation in the emergency room as they may signify serious cardiac or respiratory issues.
- severe chest pain
- fainting
- difficulty breathing
- intense palpitations
- weakness or fatigue
- confusion
- persistent symptoms despite home management
While some forms of tachycardia can have a genetic component, not all cases are hereditary. Certain genetic conditions or mutations can predispose individuals to develop tachycardia or other heart rhythm disorders. For example, familial forms of certain arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation or long QT syndrome may be inherited in families.
However, many cases of tachycardia are acquired rather than inherited and can result from factors such as underlying heart conditions, electrolyte imbalances, medications, or lifestyle factors. Overall, the genetic contribution to tachycardia can vary depending on the specific type of arrhythmia and individual circumstances. Consulting with a healthcare provider, especially if there is a family history of heart rhythm disorders, can provide more information and guidance on genetic factors related to tachycardia.
Whether or not someone with tachycardia can exercise depends on several factors, including the underlying cause of the tachycardia, the severity of symptoms, and individual tolerance levels. In many cases, regular exercise can be beneficial, as it can improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and help maintain a healthy weight. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, swimming, cycling, and yoga or tai chi, are generally recommended.
However, with certain types of arrhythmias or underlying heart conditions, some exercises or activities may need to be avoided or modified. Therefore, it’s important to consult your doctor before starting or modifying an exercise program. They can provide personalized recommendations, advise on any precautions to take and help monitor exercise intensity to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Thyroid conditions, particularly hyperthyroidism, can lead to tachycardia by causing the heart to beat faster and more forcefully. Excessive thyroid hormones stimulate the heart directly, increasing heart rate and affecting the heart's electrical system, potentially leading to arrhythmias. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying thyroid dysfunction with medications, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. As thyroid hormone levels are normalized, tachycardia and associated cardiovascular symptoms generally improve, but close monitoring is essential to manage potential complications.
The relationship between salt intake and tachycardia is complex and may vary depending on individual factors and underlying health conditions. Therefore, it is important to discuss your diet, including your salt intake, with your doctor.
In general, excessive salt intake can contribute to hypertension and lead to fluid retention and increased blood volume, putting strain on the heart and blood vessels, which can contribute to and exacerbate tachycardia.
However, salt plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and electrolyte levels in the body, which are essential for proper heart function. In some cases, particularly for individuals with certain medical conditions such as dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, moderate salt intake may be necessary to maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance.
Fluid intake can have both positive and negative effects on tachycardia.
In general, staying adequately hydrated is essential for overall cardiovascular health, as dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances and fluid loss, which may exacerbate tachycardia and increase the risk of arrhythmias. Because electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium play a role in regulating heart rhythm and function, drinking electrolyte-rich fluids, such as sports drinks, may be helpful. Stimulants, such as caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks) should be limited, as they can exacerbate tachycardia by stimulating the heart and nervous system. Additionally, although alcohol is considered a depressant, it can trigger or worsen tachycardia and should also be limited.
Moderation is always the best approach to staying hydrated, as excessive fluid can exacerbate heart failure or increase the risk of fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can worsen tachycardia symptoms. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.