Tachycardia: what is it and how to treat it?

In the translation from the ancient Greek language "tahi" - often, "cardio" - the heart. These two words form the name of such a pathology as tachycardia. What it is? This is a deviation in which there is a rapid heartbeat (more than 90 beats per minute). Naturally, the rate of heart rate is different for each age. If a pulse of 140 beats per minute is considered a good indicator for a newborn child, then in an adult this may indicate health problems, for example, heart, thyroid, lung, etc. diseases. Also, heart palpitations can be a natural reaction of the body to physical activity, high body temperature, stress. Therefore, the natural question arises: "Is tachycardia dangerous?" Let's figure it out.

Varieties and causes of tachycardia

Tachycardia is physiological and pathological.

As mentioned above, emotional or physical exertion can speed up the heartbeat. In this case we are talking about a physiological tachycardia. This is an absolutely normal reaction of the body, which does not require any treatment.

But there is still a pathological tachycardia. What it is? This is a deviation caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system or other systems and organs of the body.

The reasons for this condition can be the following:

• anemia;

• Acute dehydration;

• Hypothyroidism;

• Adrenal gland tumor;

• Pain syndromes of different origin;

• Neurosis or psychosis.

Signs of this pathology

If a tachycardia attack is associated with a disease, the symptoms can be the following:

• Shortness of breath - lack of air with moderate physical activity or at rest;

• Darkness in the eyes;

• dizziness;

• Pain in the heart;

• loss of consciousness.

All these disorders occur against a background of failure of the normal blood supply to the brain.

Tachycardia: what is it and how to treat it?

Therapy of pathology should be carried out in three stages:

• Coping (removing) an attack.

For this, intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs are administered. This procedure should be performed only by a doctor. Independently you can help yourself, using a delay in breathing, coughing, provocation of a vomiting reflex.

• Supporting a normal heart rate.

Due to irregular atrial contractions, thrombi can form. To prevent this, drugs that dilute blood are used.

• Elimination of the cause.

It is necessary to carry out treatment of the underlying disease: filling the volume of blood or fluid with their losses, increasing hemoglobin in anemia, and so on.

In particularly severe cases, surgery may be required. Indications for surgery can be such conditions as a severe congenital heart disease, marked violation of the blood supply of the heart, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma.

So, tachycardia. What is it, its symptoms, causes and principles of treatment you learned after reading this article. If you are concerned about any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible. An experienced specialist will put the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Observing all the recommendations, you will certainly return an excellent state of health and keep your health.