Tachycardia is a heart rhythm in which the heart beats very quickly. A heart rate of 400 beats per minute is not unusual. One may experience dizziness, light-headedness or feel palpitations in the chest.

About tachycardia

Tachycardia is a heart rhythm in which the heart beats at more than 100 beats per minute. However, this can be very normal. For example, during exertion and in stressful situations, the heart regularly beats at more than 100 beats per minute, causing tachycardia. We call this exercise tachycardia and adrenaline tachycardia. It only becomes dangerous when your heart has a structurally high heart rate, or when you reach heart rates of more than 200 beats per minute. Your heart is then no longer able to effectively deliver oxygen to your tissues and organs.The cause for tachycardia determines whether action needs to be taken. The cause of tachycardia also determines whether it is life-threatening.

Causes

Tachycardia has various causes and as mentioned above, the cause determines the severity of the tachycardia. Several conditions can cause tachycardia. Below is a list of possible conditions.

• Heart disease
• Dehydration
• Vitamin B1 deficiency
• Anemia
• Severe mineral deficiency (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium)
• Lung disorders
• Drugs or medicines
• Panic disorder
• Fever

Risk factors

There are several factors that increase the risk of tachycardia. These are the so-called risk factors. Some risk factors are listed below.

• Age. Older people have a significantly higher risk of tachycardia.
• Heredity. Close relatives with tachycardia mean a higher risk for yourself.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may indicate tachycardia. However, the symptoms are not decisive for the diagnosis. An additional examination with, for example, an ECG will provide more clarity. Some symptoms are mentioned below.

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness and fainting
• Sudden weakness and fatigue
• Temporarily reduced vision
• Pressing feeling in the chest
• Light-headed feeling

Therapy

The treatment of tachycardia is highly dependent on its cause. For example, if lung conditions cause tachycardia, treatment will focus on the lung conditions. However, it is common for heart problems to be the cause of tachycardia. A cardiologist can best determine what the cause is. He may decide to place an implantable defibrillator (ICD) in the body. The ICD monitors the heart and ensures that the heart rate is not structurally too low or too high.