When you suddenly feel dizzy, shortness of breath appears, increased sweating, throws you into a fever, it seems that your heart is about to jump out of your chest, there are significant changes in the work of many organs and systems. In addition to the cardiovascular system, the kidneys, organs of vision, the nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract suffer.
All these symptoms and disorders are caused by this seemingly normal increase in heart rate that occurs at rest, which is called tachycardia.
Normal heart function
Normally, in an adult during the daytime, the heart rate (HR) is 60-80 beats per minute. During sleep, this figure drops to 30-40. After a light jog or physical work, the heart rate can jump up to 160 beats per minute.
Tachycardia
It is generally accepted that tachycardia is a disease. Although in reality this is far from the case. So doctors in one word call a symptom that manifests itself at rest and is characterized by a sharp increase in heart rate. Heart rate (pulse) attachycardia will be more than 90 beats per minute.
Tachycardia can appear in he althy people in various situations:
- after intense physical exertion (up to 180 beats per minute);
- during emotional excitement;
- due to stress;
- during heat or stuffiness;
- after taking certain doses of coffee, tea, alcohol;
- after a sharp tilt or rise.
In other cases, tachycardia is caused by various disorders inside the body. The main causes of tachycardia in women are disturbances in the work of the endocrine, nervous, autonomic systems, with arrhythmia of various forms and disturbances in the movement of blood through the vessels (hemodynamics).
Sinus tachycardia
This form appears due to disturbances in the work of the main source of heart rhythm - the sinus node. The causes of tachycardia in young women are very often caused by violations of the sinus rhythm. A feature of this symptom is an even rhythm (not changed), but a greatly increased heart rate - pulse. The attack can be very long, and it can be impossible to stop it without medical intervention.
Causes of sinus tachycardia in women:
- Adverse drug reaction.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Heart disease.
- Poisoning with toxic substances.
- Smoking.
- Caffeine abuse (frequent use of energy drinks, brewed coffee).
- Severe neurological disorders.
Paroxysmal tachycardia
A distinctive feature of this type of tachycardia is a sudden onset, erratic and very rapid heartbeat (significantly more than with sinus disorders) - 150-300-490 beats per minute. Three types of paroxysmal tachycardia are divided according to the place of the violation:
- Ventricular.
- Atrial.
- Nodal.
Atrial tachycardia often occurs after a strong fright. Pulse jumps to 150-190 beats per minute.
With nodal tachycardia, nerve impulses occur at the border of the ventricles and atria and cause arrhythmia. This species is characterized by a sharp onset and the same unexpected completion of the attack.
Paroxysmal tachycardia in the region of the ventricles is called ventricular fibrillation. This is a life-threatening type of violation that requires the immediate call of an ambulance. Causes of tachycardia in women that cause fibrillation:
- Myocardial infarction;
- damage to the nervous system;
- shock states;
- severe poisoning;
- heart aneurysm (after a heart attack);
- ischemic disease;
- heart defects.
Symptoms:
- convulsions;
- pupil dilation;
- weakness;
- tinnitus;
- chest pressure and pain;
- nausea;
- drop in blood pressure;
- relaxation of body sphincters;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness.
Tachycardia in women and age
Tachycardia in women is much more common than in males. Doctors explain this by the biological characteristics of the body associated with a predisposition to a high frequency of generating an electrical impulse. It is generally accepted that disorders in the work of the heart can only appear closer to retirement age, but this is not at all the case. Tachycardia can cause a lot of anxiety at any age and have a variety of reasons.
The most common factors that cause tachycardia in women:
- hormonal fluctuations (11-20 years old):
- pregnancy (18-40 years old);
- menopause/menopause (after 50-55 years).
All these problems are related to fluctuations in the level of estrogen in the female body. Other causes of tachycardia include:
- tumors of the adrenal glands and other lesions of the body's regulatory systems;
- tumors of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland;
- hypoxia - poor saturation of tissues and organs of the body with oxygen (including when in stuffy rooms or mountainous areas);
- lung pathologies (asthma, obstructive bronchitis and others);
- allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis;
- hypotension - permanently low blood pressure;
- thrombosis;
- excessive drinking;
- acute viral infections accompanied by severe fever;
- diseases of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland;
- hyperventilation;
- anemia - lack of iron in the body;
- bad habits (smoking, drug use, energy drinks);
- strong stress and depression;
- nervous disorders;
- dehydration;
- poisoning.
Tachycardia during pregnancy
The causes of tachycardia in women 30 or even 20 years old are also varied. But most often, such violations at a young age are caused by pregnancy. This is due to a number of reasons related to changes in the body:
- weight gain;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- pregnancy anemia;
- displacement of internal organs caused by uterine growth;
- toxicosis with frequent vomiting;
- lowering blood pressure - hypotension;
- preeclampsia.
Usually, after delivery, the seizures end, and the work of the heart is gradually restored. However, to exclude risks for the fetus and mother with tachycardia, a pregnant woman is prescribed a number of examinations:
- Echocardiogram.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Holter study - daily monitoring of the heart.
According to the results of the examination, potassium and magnesium preparations for pregnant women, sedatives of plant origin are prescribed, they recommend limiting physical activity and emotional peace.
Hormonal fluctuations
Even girls during puberty have mild arrhythmia attacks. They are considered perfectly acceptable.for a he althy body, if they do not bother much and pass quickly without any medical intervention.
The causes of tachycardia in women aged 30 may be associated with hormonal disorders, namely fluctuations in the level of triiodothyronine, thyroxine and calcitonin. Consult an endocrinologist if you are worried in addition to tachycardia:
- mood swings;
- sleep problems;
- tearfulness;
- irritability;
- heavy sweating;
- hand shake;
- malfunctions of the cycle of menstruation;
- drastic weight loss (while maintaining normal diet and exercise).
The causes of tachycardia in women under 40 when these symptoms appear are often very simple. The most common problem in the functioning of the thyroid gland is hyperfunction. Such a violation, with timely and proper treatment, can be easily corrected and does not cause much concern in the future.
Climacteric period
Causes of tachycardia in women after 50 years of age are very often associated with the onset of menopause. During menopause, estrogen production drops sharply. Namely, this hormone regulates the work of the autonomic system, which affects the activity of the heart and promotes vasodilation. Therefore, immediately contact your attending gynecologist if, in addition to tachycardia, you begin to notice:
- heat;
- night sweats;
- menstrual irregularities;
- dry mucous membranes and skin;
- mood swings;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- decreased attraction.
Some women need hormone replacement therapy, medication for severe tachycardia attacks, and therapy to widen blood vessels and improve blood flow.
As an additional remedy that relieves symptoms of palpitations, you can use:
- breathing exercises;
- yoga classes;
- meditative and other relaxation practices;
- infusions of motherwort, valerian, sage and St. John's wort.
Tachycardia and blood pressure
Most often, an attack of tachycardia is accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. In this case, you will feel:
- heartbeat;
- abdominal lump;
- dizziness;
- pain in the occipital region of the head;
- feelings of panic and fear;
- chest pain.
Such symptoms can be caused by severe blood loss, shock conditions (toxic, infectious, anaphylactic, traumatic shock), vegetovascular dystonia and normal pregnancy.
To stop an attack, you can try to tighten the muscles of the limbs and the press for 15-25 seconds or hold your breath for a while after a long breath.
Even if this recommendation helped, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The causes of tachycardia in women under 40 and older can be the most serious. And the conclusion can only be made by a doctor after the patient has undergone a complete examination.
Causes of tachycardia in women with normal pressure are most often associated with:
- overeating;
- thyroid problems;
- strong stress or fear;
- various mental illnesses;
- lack of sleep;
- anemia;
- intoxication;
- smoking;
- excessive drinking.
It is worth noting that tachycardia with high blood pressure occurs quite rarely.
Treatment of tachycardia
There are three directions in the treatment of this symptom:
- Removal (stopping) of symptoms with the help of intravenous administration of Novocainamide or Kordaron.
- Normalization and maintenance of a normal pulse. Use of beta-blockers or Digoxin.
- Prevention of blood clots - blood thinners (eg Warfarin).
- Treatment of disease causing tachycardia.
