Tachycardia is a medical condition where the heart beats faster than normal. In a healthy adult, a normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. When the heart rate goes beyond 100 beats per minute, it is considered as tachycardia.
Frequent tachycardia can put a lot of stress on the heart and increase the risk of developing various heart-related issues.
Causes of Tachycardia
There are several causes of tachycardia, including:.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively. This can lead to an irregular and rapid heartbeat.
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is a condition that causes an abnormal electrical pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers. This can cause a rapid heartbeat.
Thyroid Imbalance
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. An overactive thyroid gland can cause rapid heart rate and lead to tachycardia.
Risks of Frequent Tachycardia
Frequent tachycardia can cause a lot of stress on the heart and increase the risk of developing various heart-related issues, including:.
Heart Failure
Frequent tachycardia can put a lot of strain on the heart and eventually lead to heart failure. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is not able to pump blood effectively throughout the body.
Stroke
Tachycardia increases the risk of developing blood clots, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
Cardiac Arrest
In rare cases, frequent tachycardia can lead to cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a condition where the heart stops beating abruptly and can be life-threatening.
How to Manage Tachycardia
Tachycardia can be managed through medication, lifestyle changes, and medical procedures.
Medication
Medications such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin can help control tachycardia by slowing down the heart rate.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, avoiding caffeine and tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage tachycardia.
Medical Procedures
In some cases, medical procedures such as catheter ablation or pacemaker implantation may be required to manage tachycardia.