What is Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia)?
These are situations in which the heartbeat becomes irregular or accelerates in a way that disturbs the individual. For adults, a heart rate above 100 per minute is considered Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia) while the body is at rest and does not make any effort. While a normal heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute, this figure reaches 140 or more in case of tachycardia.
What are the Causes of Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia)?
Heart palpitations are usually caused by a disruption in the normal electrical impulses that control the pumping action of the heart.
Some conditions and diseases are among possible causes of tachycardia.
These:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Excessive exercise
- Reaction to certain drugs
- Alcohol consumption
- Use of cocaine and some other drugs
- Heart valve disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Hypertension
- Infections in the heart
- Overwork of the thyroid gland
What are the Symptoms of Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia) ?
Some symptoms of tachycardia are;
- Dizziness
- Shortness Of Breath
- Chest Pain
- Sudden Weakness
- Feeling of Dizziness
- Low Blood Pressure
Heart palpitations are the most common tachycardia symptoms. In extreme cases, you may become unconscious and have a heart attack. Some tachycardia attacks may occur without any symptoms.
What are the Complications of Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia)?
Complications of tachycardia depend on the type of tachycardia, how fast the heart beats in the tachycardia condition, how long the tachycardia lasts, how long the tachycardia has been present, and whether other cardiac problems are present.
Some common complications are as follows:
- Fainting and unconsciousness
- Heart failure
- Sudden cardiac death especially caused by ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation
What are the Types of Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia)?
There are different types of heart palpitations. The types of tachycardia vary from heart rate to which part of the heart it is seen.
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Atrial Fibrillation:
It is the most common type of heart palpitation. It occurs due to irregular electrical impulses coming between the small chambers called atria in the upper area of the heart. These irregular signals cause the atria to contract weakly or rapidly. Excessive alcohol, hyperthyroidism, hypertension and heart valve disorders are among the triggering diseases.
-
Atrial Flutter:
Heart valves beating too fast in an irregular way. Because of the speed, the auricles weaken and flutter.
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Supraventricular Tachycardia (STV):
It is a very rapid beating of the lower chambers of the heart. It is most common in those who smoke and drink heavily.
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Ventricular Tachycardia:
A very rapid heartbeat with unusual electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart.
This speed may not allow the ventricles to pump enough blood.
Short attacks may be harmless. However, attacks that last longer than a few seconds can become an emergency.
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Ventricular Fibrillation:
They are irregular, rapid and electrical impulses. This causes the lower chambers of the heart to vibrate instead of pumping blood throughout the body.
If the heart is not intervened with electric shock, it can cause death. It can be seen during or after a heart attack. It can develop as a result of an underlying heart condition or lightning strike.
How Is Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia) Diagnosed?
For the diagnosis of heart palpitations, first of all, a detailed medical history of the patient is taken. And a physical examination is done.
- EKG (Electrocardiogram) is the first method used for palpitations. It is done to observe the electrical data of the heart with EKG.
- In some patients, a 24-hour ECG Holter test is performed to monitor the heartbeat for 24 hours.
- This device is a small portable recorder. The patient records the heart rhythm by connecting the device to himself for 24 hours.
- With electrocardiography (heart ultrasound) imaging, it gives detailed information about whether there is any structural disorder in the heart, the dimensions of the heart chambers and the condition of the heart valves.
- In this way, factors that cause rhythm disturbances may occur.
- Routine blood tests are also done to rule out causes of palpitations other than the heart.
Some of these tests are;
- Thyroid function tests,
- Kidney function tests
- Hemogram
How Is Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia) Treated?
In the treatment, the factor causing the disorder should be identified and eliminated first. Treatment options vary depending on the cause of palpitation, the patient’s age, and general health.
Some of the methods used in the treatment are:
-
Vagal Maneuver:
It is a treatment method that doctors apply without using drugs by directing patients. When the heart beats at a high rate, it demands compelling movements. Vagal maneuvers include coughing, straining, and placing an ice pack on the person’s face.
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Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy:
If there is no change in heart rhythm after performing vagal maneuvers, drug therapy should be initiated. Antiarrhythmic drugs can be administered orally or by injection. It helps to restore a normal heartbeat.
-
Cardioversion (Electroshock):
It is the last method preferred in the treatment of tachycardia. In this procedure, an electrical shock is applied to the heart through spoons or tapes attached to the chest.
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Defibrillation:
It is used in the emergency treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias where the pulse cannot be taken in the patient.
What Is Good For Heart Palpitation (Tachycardia)?
Before the heart palpitations become too serious, relief can be achieved with some self-administered measures.
Some of these can be listed as follows:
Relaxation Techniques
- Yoga
- Meditation
- To do sport
- Breathing exercises
- Go on holiday
Reducing Stimulant Intake
- Caffeinated Beverages such as Coffee, Tea and Coke
- Tobacco Products
- Illegal Drugs
- High Blood Pressure Medicines
- Alcohol Use
Maneuvers that Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
- Straining
- Coughing
- Belching
- Face wash with cold water
- Taking a cold shower
Heart Palpitations and Tachycardia: FAQs
What is the difference between heart palpitations and tachycardia?
While often used together, they refer to different things. Heart palpitations are the sensation of an irregular, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat. You might feel like your heart is skipping a beat or flip-flopping in your chest.
Tachycardia is a clinical term for a heart rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute (BPM) while at rest. A person can have tachycardia without feeling palpitations, and conversely, one can feel palpitations even if their heart rate is within a normal range.
What are the most common causes of a rapid heartbeat?
A rapid heart rate or palpitations can be triggered by a wide variety of internal and external factors:
- Lifestyle Factors: High caffeine intake, nicotine, alcohol consumption, or intense physical exertion.
- Emotional Triggers: High levels of stress, anxiety, or panic attacks.
- Medical Conditions: Anemia, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), or electrolyte imbalances (such as low potassium or magnesium).
- Medications: Certain asthma inhalers, decongestants, and diet pills.
- Cardiac Issues: Arrhythmias like Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) or Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT).
When should I be concerned about heart palpitations?
Most palpitations are harmless, especially if they occur infrequently.
However, you should seek immediate medical attention if they are accompanied by “red flag” symptoms:
- Chest Pain: Tightness, pressure, or discomfort in the chest.
- Fainting (Syncope): Losing consciousness or feeling severely lightheaded.
- Severe Shortness of Breath: Difficulty catching your breath while at rest.
- Duration: If the rapid heartbeat lasts for a prolonged period or happens more frequently over time.
How do doctors diagnose the cause of tachycardia?
To determine if the rapid heart rate is benign or pathological, physicians use several diagnostic tools:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): The primary tool to record the heart’s electrical activity.
- Holter Monitor: A portable device worn for 24–48 hours to catch intermittent palpitations that a standard EKG might miss.
- Event Monitor: Similar to a Holter but worn for up to 30 days for very infrequent symptoms.
- Blood Tests: To check for thyroid function, anemia, or electrolyte levels.
- Stress Test: Monitoring heart rhythm while you exercise on a treadmill.
Are there home remedies to help stop heart palpitations?
If your doctor has confirmed your palpitations are not caused by a serious structural issue, you can manage them by:
- Vagal Maneuvers: Techniques like the Valsalva maneuver (bearing down as if having a bowel movement) or splashing cold water on your face to stimulate the vagus nerve.
- Deep Breathing: Practicing mindful, rhythmic breathing to calm the nervous system.
- Hydration: Ensuring you drink enough water, as dehydration can thicken blood and force the heart to work harder.
- Avoiding Triggers: Reducing intake of stimulants like caffeine and energy drinks.
