Tachycardia is a condition that makes your heart beat more than 100 times per minute. There are three types of it: Show
What Causes It?Any number of things. Strenuous exercise, a fever, fear, stress, anxiety, certain medications, and street drugs can lead to sinus tachycardia. It can also be triggered by anemia, an overactive thyroid, or damage from a heart attack or heart failure. Supraventricular tachycardia is most likely to affect people who smoke, drink too much alcohol, or have a lot of caffeine. In some cases it’s linked to heart attacks. It’s more common in women and children. The ventricular type is associated with abnormal electrical pathways which are present at birth (long QT), structural problems of the heart such as a cardiomyopathy or coronary disease, medications, or electrolyte imbalance. Sometimes, the reason is unclear. SymptomsNo matter which type of tachycardia you have, you may feel:
In extreme cases, you could become unconscious or go into cardiac arrest. But sometimes, a super-fast heart rate causes no symptoms at all. TestsThese may include:
Your doctor will decide what’s best after they get your test results. If you have sinus tachycardia, they’ll help you pinpoint the cause and suggest things to lower your heart rate. These might include lifestyle changes like easing stress or taking medicine to lower a fever. If you have supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor may recommend that you drink less caffeine or alcohol, get more sleep, or quit smoking. Treatments for ventricular tachycardia may include medication to reset the heart’s electrical signals or ablation, a procedure that destroys the abnormal heart tissue that is leading to the condition. Your doctor might also use a defibrillator to disrupt rapid heart rhythms. A rapid heart rate doesn’t always need treatment. But sometimes it can be life-threatening. So play it safe -- let your doctor know right away if you have any type of irregular heartbeat. SOURCES: American Heart Association: “Tachycardia: Fast Heart Rate” University of California San Francisco: “Supraventricular Tachycardia” and “Ventricular Tachycardia.” An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, many people don't even know they have it, because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. In the Special Health Report, Controlling Your Blood Pressure, find out how to keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully. Tachycardia is a heart rate that’s faster than normal, or more than 100 beats per minute at rest. It can start in your upper or lower chambers of your heart and can range from mild to life-threatening. Treatments include medicines, an ablation procedure and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement.
Overview What is tachycardia?When you have tachycardia, your heart beats faster than normal for a few seconds to a few hours. Normally, your heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute when you’re not active. When your heart beats more than 100 times a minute at rest, that’s tachycardia. Because your heart beats too often, it doesn’t have the time it needs to fill with blood between beats. This can be dangerous if your heart can’t supply all of your cells with the blood and oxygen they need. Your heart normally responds to electrical signals from your heart’s sinoatrial (SA) node. These signals control how often your heart beats. When you’ve had a scare or are very emotional or anxious, or are exercising, your heart may send signals more frequently for a short time. This is called sinus tachycardia and goes away when you calm down or rest. Other types of tachycardia can come back regularly and can be more serious. Types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)These begin in the atria, or upper chambers of your heart, when you have an issue with electrical signals there.
Types of ventricular tachycardiaThese begin in your ventricles, your heart’s lower chambers, when you have an electrical signal issue in that area.
Who does tachycardia affect?Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia can affect:
Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation can affect:
How common is tachycardia?About 2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation and 90,000 others per year get a supraventricular tachycardia diagnosis. Each year, an estimated 184,000 to 450,000 Americans die from ventricular arrhythmias that cause sudden cardiac death. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms?Some people don’t have tachycardia symptoms, while others may have mild to severe symptoms. Tachycardia symptoms may include:
Can tachycardia cause other medical issues?Yes. Without treatment, certain types of tachycardia can lead to:
What causes tachycardia?Tachycardia has a number of causes, including:
Risk factors for tachycardia
Diagnosis and TestsHow is tachycardia diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will ask for your medical history and do a physical exam. They may also order tests. What tests will be done to diagnose tachycardia?Your healthcare provider can use several tests to diagnose tachycardia, including:
Management and TreatmentHow is it treated?Treatments vary depending on the type of tachycardia. Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia treatments
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) treatments
Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation treatments
What can’t I drink with tachycardia?Your healthcare provider may tell you to cut down on your caffeine or alcohol intake if you have tachycardia. What medications/treatments are used?Your healthcare provider may prescribe tachycardia medicines, including:
Complications/side effects of the treatmentAfter an ablation, you may have swelling, bruising or redness where your healthcare provider inserted a catheter for the procedure. Other risks include:
After you get an ICD, there’s a risk of:
How do I take care of myself?Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking your medicines and decreasing your intake of alcohol and caffeine. PreventionHow can I reduce my risk?You can reduce your risk of tachycardia in the following ways:
How can I prevent tachycardia?Limit or avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements. All of these can trigger tachycardia. Taking care of your heart issues or finding alternatives to medicines that cause a problem can help you prevent some forms of tachycardia. Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have tachycardia?Depending on which type of tachycardia you have, you may have harmless symptoms, very dangerous symptoms (from ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) or something in between. Medicines and other treatments can help you control your symptoms. You may need to wear a Holter monitor or do electrophysiology testing to see how well your medicine is working. How long tachycardia lastsTachycardia that puts you in danger doesn’t go away on its own. You’ll need to live a healthier lifestyle and take medicines to control it. You may also need to have a procedure, such as an ablation, to help you manage it. Outlook for tachycardiaAlthough medications can’t cure tachycardia, they can help you control it. Ablation may be a long-term solution to certain types of tachycardia. Ventricular fibrillation can be fatal without immediate treatment. Living WithHow do I take care of myself?Keep taking the medicines your healthcare provider prescribed and be sure to go to all follow-up appointments. When should I see my healthcare provider?Contact your provider if your medicine isn’t helping you as much anymore or if you start having new symptoms. When should I go to the ER?Get help right away if you feel your heart pounding, have chest pain or if you’re fainting or getting dizzy. You should also get help immediately for someone who collapses or is unconscious from ventricular fibrillation. They’ll need CPR to survive until paramedics arrive. What questions should I ask my doctor?
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs tachycardia an arrhythmia?Yes, tachycardia is a kind of arrhythmia in which your heart rate is much faster than normal. Bradycardia is another kind of arrhythmia in which your heart rate is not fast enough. Is tachycardia dangerous?Yes, some types of tachycardia are dangerous, especially ventricular fibrillation. Some tachycardias are mild, and others cause issues that are moderately dangerous. Can tachycardia go away?If you have sinus tachycardia, your symptoms will go away once the fear, anxiety or other emotion that caused it ends. For most other types of tachycardia, you’ll need medication or even a procedure to keep your symptoms from coming back. A note from Cleveland Clinic Tachycardia symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on which type of tachycardia you have. For peace of mind, talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having symptoms. They can tell you if you have a reason to be concerned. Keep taking the medicines your provider prescribed for you, especially heart medicines. Don’t stop taking them without your healthcare provider’s approval. And be sure to keep going to all of your follow-up appointments. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/03/2022. References
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What is a dangerously high heart rate?You may want to start with a visit to your health care provider if your heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute or below 60 beats per minute (and you're not an athlete), or if you're also experiencing shortness of breath, fainting spells, lightheadedness or feeling fluttering or palpitations in your chest ...
Does high pulse mean heart attack?An elevated heart rate is not a reliable sign of a heart attack. Pay attention to other signs, such as chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. A person should contact emergency services immediately if they are experiencing any signs of a heart attack.
What should I do if my pulse is high?How to lower the heart rate. practicing deep or guided breathing techniques, such as box breathing.. relaxing and trying to remain calm.. going for a walk, ideally away from an urban environment.. taking a warm, relaxing bath or shower.. practicing stretching and relaxation exercises, such as yoga.. performing vagal maneuvers.. |
Can high pulse rate cause heart attack
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