Although you may appear still, your heart is still beating. The typical heart rate is 60 to 80 beats per minute, even while at rest. Therefore, a consistent thump-bump rhythm could be heard if you used a stethoscope to listen to your heartbeat. However, issues may arise if the cadence shifts too quickly or slowly, which could cause an arrhythmia or a fast heartbeat. In such cases, visit the best cardiologist in Hyderabad to ensure and safeguard your heart’s health.

The regular heartbeat initiates in the sinus node, which is positioned near the top of the right atrium—the atrium contracts to pump blood into the ventricles due to the electrical impulse that travels across it. However, the AV node and the His Bundle must be passed before the atrial impulse may reach the ventricles. The ventricular muscles contract due to the electrical impulse traveling down the bundle branches to them, resulting in a fast heartbeat that pumps blood to the body. The average heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. This is the travel of a regular heartbeat.

Tachycardia is a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia) in which the resting heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute (bpm) due to a failure in the heart’s electrical wiring. In most situations, tachycardia, which occurs in episodes, can be easily avoided and treated with basic lifestyle adjustments, workouts, and medication. The subtypes of Tachycardia are:

• Supraventricular Tachycardia –occurs in the upper chambers of the heart
• Ventricular Tachycardia – occurs in the lower chambers of the heart
• Sinus Tachycardia – a regular increase in the heart rate when sick or excited.

The tachycardia from the upper chambers can be of three types, Atrial fibrillation, Atrial flutter, or Supraventricular tachycardia. A chaotic electrical disturbance of the atria known as atrial fibrillation causes an electrical impulse to move irregularly and rapidly throughout the atrium. This electrical impulse then passes through the AV node and the rest of the conduction system irregularly, leading to a heartbeat that is felt to be irregular and fast.

Like atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter is a cardiac rhythm disorder, but its electrical discharges are more regulated. An electrical impulse will usually revolve around the tricuspid valve. Patients with atrial flutter may experience the same symptoms as those with atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms of Abnormal Heart Rhythms

when tachycardia occurs at rest, it can harm the heart muscles. Some common causes of Abnormal Heart Rhythms are:

• Fainting (syncope)
• Irregular pulse or heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin

Some tachycardia patients don’t exhibit any symptoms. The problem might be found when a physical examination or heart tests are performed for another cause. Chest discomfort, heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death are all potential consequences of arrhythmias. Because of this, it’s crucial to have therapy started as soon as you experience any arrhythmia-related symptoms.

Treating Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Arrhythmias can, fortunately, be treated in a variety of ways. The kind and severity of the arrhythmia, any underlying illnesses that might affect your health, your age, your medical history, and any prescribed drugs for other disorders may be considered when creating a treatment plan. In addition, changes in lifestyle, prescription drugs, electronic devices, catheter ablation, and surgery are all possible forms of treatment.

Tests

It is possible to do tests, such as cardiac imaging examinations, to determine the reason for an irregular heart rhythm and to confirm an extremely fast heartbeat (arrhythmia). For example, tests to identify tachycardia may consist of:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

This simple and painless examination analyzes the electrical activity of the heart. Sensors (electrodes) are affixed to the chest and occasionally the arms or legs during an ECG. An ECG records the timing and duration of each electrical phase of the heartbeat. Your doctor can analyze signal patterns to identify the type of tachycardia and how potential cardiac problems might be related to heart palpitations.

Stress test

Exercise can cause some types of tachycardia or make them worse. During a stress test, the heart’s activity is often tracked while the patient walks on a treadmill or rides a stationary bike. A stress test may be combined with other heart exams. If you have trouble working out, a medication that stimulates the heart similarly to exercise may be administered.

Chest X-ray

It shows the condition of the heart and the lungs.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiography uses sound waves to produce images of the heartbeat. It can detect issues with the heart valves, the heart muscle, and blood flow.

Treatment for tachycardia aims to lower an already rapid heartbeat and stop it from happening again in the future. A fast heartbeat could naturally slow down. However, medication or other medical procedures are occasionally required to slow the heartbeat. Here are some of the ways to slow the heartbeat.

Vagal Maneuvers

Coughing, leaning in as if having a bowel movement, and applying an ice pack to the face are examples of vagal techniques. When you experience an episode of a fast heartbeat, your healthcare professional can advise you to carry out these specific tasks. These processes impact the vagus nerve, which assists in regulating the heartbeat.

Cardioversion 

This medical procedure is often performed by delivering electric shocks to the heart via sensors (electrodes) implanted in the chest. The shock affects the electrical signals sent by the heart and prompts it to beat usually again. Cardioversion is typically utilized when immediate medical attention is required or when vagal techniques and drugs are ineffective. Cardioversion can also be performed while taking medicine.

Medications

The heart rhythm may need to be restored with medication if vagal exercises cannot slow the fast beating.

The treatment of tachycardia involves taking steps to prevent future episodes of fast heart rhythms. It may include medication, implanted devices, or other surgeries or procedures.

Catheter Ablation

A healthcare professional performs this treatment by inserting one or more thin, flexible tubes (catheters) into an artery, typically in the groin, and directing them toward the heart. To prevent erratic electrical signals and restore cardiac rhythm, sensors (electrodes) on the catheter’s tip employ heat or cold energy to form microscopic scars inside the heart. When an additional signaling channel is the cause of an elevated heart rate, it is frequently done.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a little device surgically inserted beneath the skin in the chest region. The device delivers an electrical pulse to the heart to help it resume its normal rhythm when it detects an irregular heartbeat.

Surgery

Sometimes open-heart surgery is required to remove an additional electrical route producing tachycardia. Surgery is often only performed when all other therapeutic options have failed or when it is necessary to treat another heart condition.

Prevention

To prevent tachycardia, you should keep your heart healthy and avoid heart problems. Follow your treatment plan if you already have heart disease and keep an eye on it. Make sure you follow your treatment strategy and take all prescribed medications as directed. A tachycardia-causing heart arrhythmia may be prevented by adopting lifestyle changes that lower the risk of heart disease. Take the following actions:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Stop smoking
• Drink in moderation
• Use medications with caution
• Limit caffeine
• Manage stress
• Go to scheduled checkups

Once the arrhythmia is under control, your doctor will go through preventative measures and prescribe a lifetime plan to stay away from irregular heart rhythms.