Tachycardia is a pathological phenomenon, which consists in an increase in the heart rate (from 90 beats per minute). This is not an ailment, but a symptom indicating the presence of a disease.
Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe the treatment of tachycardia - it itself will begin to subside as the person undergoes the therapy prescribed to him in connection with the identification of the cause of its occurrence. Well, now it’s worth telling you what diseases it can indicate. We will also briefly discuss their symptoms and treatment.
Sinus tachycardia
This is a common type of arrhythmia, in which the pulse exceeds 100 beats per minute. As a rule, sinus tachycardia indicates the presence of a pathology of the heart, endocrine system, blood vessels or other organs.
However, sometimes he althy people have a similar condition. The reason for this is physical activity, a plentiful feast, strong excitement, or even a cup of strong black coffee. This is normal, because after some time the normal heartbeat is restored, and the blood flow in the organs is not disturbed.
Before we turn to symptoms and treatmentsinus tachycardia, it is worth explaining why it is called that.
The origin of the term is logical. The word "sinus" indicates that the impulses for contraction of the heart come from the main, sinus node. So the rhythm remains regular. The frequency of contractions of the ventricles and atria remains the same. Arrhythmia increases gradually. In some cases, the pulse can reach 220 beats per minute. But the limit is usually 110-120.
Unfortunately, abnormal sinus-type tachycardia leads to changes in the systemic circulation and in the heart itself. The muscle works at breakneck speed, in fact, for wear and tear. The heart simply cannot cope with its main task, which is to supply the required volume of blood to the small and large circle. Since with such a load, its chambers are not completely filled. What does this lead to?
Sinus tachycardia as a symptom
Over time, a consistently rapid heart rate leads to cardiomyopathy. This is the name of the primary lesion of the heart, manifested in problems with the heart of a different nature. In this case, these include:
- Chronic and acute heart failure.
- Inflammation in the myocardium of an autoimmune, infectious nature.
- Ischemic diseases (cardiosclerosis, heart attack, angina).
- Acquired and birth defect.
- Inflammation in the inner and outer layer of the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy.
There are also non-cardiac causes that provoke sinustachycardia. Their symptoms and treatment are radically different, since the nature of the diseases is completely different. Although, as a rule, the following disorders are diagnosed:
- Neurogenic. The main reason is the increasing level of stress. Manifestations: psychosis, neurosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia. They are found, as a rule, in emotionally labile and young people.
- Endocrine. Main causes: hormone-producing adrenal tumors and increased thyroid function.
The symptoms of sinus tachycardia should also be listed, the treatment of which will be discussed later. The following manifestations are considered alarm signals:
- Good palpable, persistent heartbeat.
- Fatigue even with minimal physical exertion.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling short of breath and shortness of breath even at rest.
- Episodes of loss of consciousness.
- Pain in the heart.
- Insomnia, irritability, anxiety and emotional lability.
- Chest discomfort.
Often, if treatment and symptoms are ignored, tachycardia leads to complications. A person may have prolonged and frequent attacks, the chambers of his heart will gradually expand, and the myocardium will begin to weaken. Perhaps even the appearance of stagnation in the circles of blood circulation. There is a high probability of developing progressive angina and acute insufficiency.
Treatment of sinus tachycardia
As mentioned earlier, it does not require the use of anyspecific methods. Treatment of tachycardia is aimed at eliminating the cause. This eventually leads to the fact that the normal frequency of the rhythm is restored.
In addition to giving up alcohol, smoking, strong coffee and tea, you will need to visit a doctor. Only he can make a diagnosis, identifying the exact cause of an accelerated heartbeat, and prescribe therapy. But the following medications are commonly prescribed:
- Drugs aimed at suppressing the production of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin. Examples: Carbimazole, Tyrozol, Thiamazole, Mercazolil, Propylthiouracil. Prescribed for hyperthyroidism.
- Iron preparations. Examples: CosmoFer, Venofer, Heferol, Iron gluconate 300. The indication is anemia.
- Sedatives, as well as sedatives of plant and synthetic origin. Examples: Evening dragee, medicinal valerian extract, Tenoten, Persen, Motherwort and Afobazol. It is prescribed for depressive disorders, psychosis, stress and neurosis.
- Broad spectrum antibiotics (macrolides, cephalosporins and penicillins). Examples: Amoxicillin, Flemoclav, Zinnat, Amoxiclav, Augmentin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin. It is prescribed for angina and other infectious pathologies that affect the rhythm of the heart.
In severe cases, your doctor may suggest transfusions of plasma and red blood cells, as well as prescribe drugs that help restore total blood volume.
Paroxysmal tachycardia: causes and symptoms
Thistype of arrhythmia is less common. Paroxysmal tachycardia, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed a little later, is characterized by a heart rate in the range from 140 to 220. They occur due to ectopic impulses, leading to the replacement of the usual sinus rhythm.
Arrhythmia of this type is similar in etiology to such a disease as extrasystole. This is an untimely contraction of individual chambers of the heart or the entire muscle as a whole.
Paroxysmal tachycardia is clearly felt. Its beginning is determined by a strong push in the region of the heart, after which the frequency of its contractions begins to actively increase. It all ends just as suddenly, but it can last from a couple of seconds to several days.
Usually, the immediate causes of this type of arrhythmia are such diseases and factors:
- Myocardial infarction.
- Ischemic disease.
- Hypertension.
- Inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Myocardial dystrophy.
- Defect of the heart.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Acute allergic reactions.
- Catheterization of cardiac cavities, interventions.
- Using the wrong drugs.
Before we turn to the treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia, it is worth noting the symptoms of its manifestation. These include:
- Noise in the head and severe weakness.
- Feeling like your heart is constricting.
- Weakened limb strength.
- Violation of sensitivity and speech.
- Nausea, sweating, bloating, fever, increasedurination.
- Fainness and dizziness.
In the presence of alarming symptoms, it is better not to delay going to the cardiologist and undergoing an electrocardiogram.
How to treat paroxysmal tachycardia?
Only a cardiologist will answer this question. It is important to consider that this type of arrhythmia can be of different types - ventricular, atrioventricular and atrial. Unfortunately, in most cases, hospitalization is required. Since often this manifestation indicates the presence of acute insufficiency.
It is possible to stop arrhythmia with the help of vagal maneuvers. These are techniques by which it turns out to influence the vagus nerve. These include Ashner, Cermak-Goering and Valsalva tests, straining, wiping with cold water.
However, all this only stops attacks and symptoms. Treatment of tachycardia is carried out only through the introduction of medications that have an antiarrhythmic effect. Doctors usually prescribe these drugs:
- "Novocainamide". Agent with membrane stabilizing activity.
- Propranoloa. A drug that blocks beta-adrenergic receptors.
- "Aimalin". Indole alkaloid.
- "Quinidine". Stereoisomer of quinine.
- "Ritmodan". Analogue of the previous drug.
- "Etmozin". Especially effective for supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles.
- "Isoptin". It has antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic and antianginal effects.
- "Kordaron". Repolarization inhibitor.
If treatmenttachycardia with medications is ineffective, then the patient is prescribed electrical impulse therapy with further outpatient monitoring and anti-relapse therapy.
Ventricular fibrillation
This is an extremely dangerous condition that threatens human life. Characterized by abnormal irregularities in the heart rhythm.
Ventricular contractions become extremely fast, inefficient and uncoordinated. Their appearance is provoked by electrical chaotic impulses. The ventricles just tremble, as in the moment of atrial fibrillation. There is no ejection of blood.
In simple terms, erratic contraction equates to cardiac arrest. If it does not stop, then death will come. The causes of fibrillation are:
- Inadequate circulation in the myocardium. Occurs as a result of coronary disease.
- Shock.
- Hypokalemia, manifested in a reduced concentration of potassium ions in the blood.
In this case, it is difficult to talk about the causes and treatment. Tachycardia of this type is a consequence of a serious illness. If fibrillation occurs, the following occurs:
- The person faints.
- Convulsions appear.
- Pulse, blood pressure, heart contractions disappear.
- The process of brain death begins (no oxygen enters it).
Only an ECG can confirm a person's predisposition to fibrillation due to their underlying disease.
Emergency ambulance means resuscitationlungs and heart, as well as relief of tachyarrhythmia with a defibrillator discharge. In the future, a normal rhythm is maintained with the help of medications.
Diagnosis
A visit to a cardiologist is mandatory if symptoms of tachycardia are detected. And treatment at home is highly discouraged from starting without undergoing a diagnosis and adequate medical recommendations.
Examination helps to determine what is the cause of palpitations, what causes such a condition - direct damage to the main muscle of the body or non-cardiac factors. Also, only with the help of diagnostics, you can find out what type of tachycardia a person suffers from - sinus or paroxysmal.
Of course, first of all, a person will be sent for an ECG. This is an informative and safe procedure that will help identify all violations in the rhythm and in cardiac activity in general.
If there is a suspicion of intracardiac pathology, MRI, EFI and EchoCG may be prescribed. As additional methods, they can resort to an EEG of the brain and a complete blood count.
All these studies are needed. Only after a full diagnosis, the doctor will be able to exclude endocrine disorders, blood diseases and pathological activity of the central nervous system.
In addition, it is on the basis of the results obtained that the treatment of tachycardia is prescribed. There are many drugs, and if a person decides to “prescribe” them to himself, then his body may react with a worsening condition.
Plus, not always visitingcardiologist completes the diagnosis. So, if a person has extracardiac sinus tachycardia, then he is sent for a consultation with a neurologist. Psychotherapy and sedatives (neuroleptics, tranquilizers) may even be prescribed.
And if a reflex or compensatory tachycardia is detected, then the causes of their appearance are first eliminated. Otherwise, therapy aimed at reducing heart rate will lead to aggravation of hemodynamic disturbances and a decrease in blood pressure.
Folk remedies
Of course, the best treatment for tachycardia is pills. You can resort to folk remedies only after agreeing with your doctor, and even then as a preventive measure. Here are some recipes:
- You need to take motherwort grass and valerian root (200 g each) and mix them with crushed anise fruits and yarrow grass (100 g each). Then take a tablespoon of the resulting collection and pour boiling water (300 ml). Give it time to stand. Strain and drink throughout the day in equal portions. The course lasts 30 days. Then - a month break.
- In equal proportions mix valerian root, fennel and cumin fruits, chamomile and mint. Every evening, prepare an infusion: pour a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Strain and drink before bed. The course lasts 20 days.
- Green tea (1 tsp) mixed with motherwort (1 tsp), hawthorn (1 tbsp) and wild rose (1 tbsp). Pour everything into a thermos, pour half a liter of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes. Strain and drink this amount in two doses per day.
- Chop 2 walnuts, mix with honey (2 tsp) and chopped fresh lemon wedge. The resulting mass is slowly chewed and swallowed. Drink a glass of water. There is such sweetness before going to bed, every day for three months.
- Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of lemon balm. Let it brew for an hour, then strain. Drink 100 milliliters a day for three months.
This is a good concomitant drug treatment of tachycardia means. All of them are aimed at restoring the work of the heart and have a calming effect.
Features of food
So, the above was said about the symptoms and treatment of tachycardia. It is worth recalling that it is also extremely necessary to observe the correct diet and a dairy-vegetarian diet, following which a person will provide his body with the necessary trace elements and vitamins.
All foods consumed should not burden the blood vessels and be easily digested. It is recommended to take as the basis of the diet:
- Figs, dried apricots, dates, raisins. These dried fruits contain the highest content of iron, magnesium and potassium.
- Fresh berries and fruits: pineapple, peach, cherry, banana, grapefruit, blackcurrant, apricot.
- Low-fat dairy products: sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, curdled milk.
- Skim milk.
- Greens and vegetables: Jerusalem artichoke, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, celery, beets, parsley.
- Lean meats: veal, turkey, chicken, pork.
- Egg (one per day).
- White leanfish.
- Med.
- Bran and cereals.
- Herbal teas.
- Fresh juices, compotes, fruit drinks and fresh juices (both from berries and fruits, and from vegetables).
- Dried rose hips.
It is allowed to fill food with oil, but the daily volume should not be more than 15 ml. And you can use only vegetable (corn, linseed).
In the treatment of tachycardia of the heart, it is better to eat berries, fruits and vegetables raw. Prepare puddings and cereals from cereals. And from meat and fish you can make steam cutlets and meatballs, boil it and bake it.
What is forbidden?
In the process of preventing and treating the symptoms of tachycardia, pills and other drugs can help if a person does not aggravate the condition by consuming illegal foods that provoke heart palpitations. These include:
- Alcohol.
- Tea, coffee, energy drinks, soda (especially Coca-Cola).
- Spices, s alt, soda.
- Hard boiled or fried eggs.
- Fatty dairy products.
- Spicy, fatty, spicy, smoked dishes.
- Canned food and marinades.
- Sweets and confectionery in abnormal quantities.
Also, in order for the treatment of tachycardia at home to be effective, some recommendations must be followed. Limit yourself in the use of sugar and s alt, eat food in small portions at regular intervals, do unloading 1-2 times a week (cleanse yourself of toxins and toxins) and do not eat at night and do not overeat. Daily calorie content varies from 2500 to 3000kcal.
Consequences
They should also be noted with attention, since we are talking about the symptoms and treatment of tachycardia. This symptom is not as harmless as many may think. After all, it signals that the work of the whole heart is disrupted, and indicates its need to work hard. Ignoring tachycardia is fraught with the following consequences:
- Violation of the conduction of the heart. Develops with deficiency.
- Cerebral thromboembolism.
- Ischemic stroke.
- Rapid muscle wear. The heart does not receive enough nutrition due to the accelerated mode of operation. As a result, the elasticity of its vessels and tissues is lost.
- Oxygen starvation. This is what causes constant fainting and metabolic disorders.
- Pulmonary edema, cardiac asthma, arrhythmic shock.
- Fat.
That is why you need to go to the cardiologist at the slightest sign of tachycardia. What treatment is needed and what is the general reason for its appearance, only he can say. It is strongly discouraged to self-prescribe medications or hope that it will “go away on its own.”
