Rapid pulse is a condition characterized by an increase in heart rate, which can beat more than 100 beats per minute (with a normal contraction of about 60-100 beats / min.).

What is the rapid pulse?

Rapid pulse and palpitations are a common type of heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) where the heart beats more than normal. The rhythm can become more frequent due to physiology - during training, after physical exertion, a sudden increase in rhythm occurs during stress, as a physiological response to excitement, anxiety, trauma, illness (sinus tachycardia).

The heart rate is controlled by electrical signals transmitted through the heart tissue. The heart rate increases when an abnormality in the heart causes the electrical signals to speed up, causing the heart rate to rise, typically 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. During attacks of tachycardia in a person, the pulse sometimes increases to 140-250 beats / min.

Important! The important role of heart rate is evidenced by its frequent mention in a figurative sense. For example, from the words of a military leader of the times of the USSR: "... The pulse of heavy industry, the defense industry was beating faster ...".

Causes of increased heart rate

Why does the pulse quicken? What are the causes of the condition? There are many factors and causes of rapid heart rate. As mentioned above, a strong heartbeat is due to a violation of the normal electrical impulses that control the rate of cardiac pumping. Many factors can lead to problems with the electrical impulses of the heart, and therefore an increase in heart rate. What does a fast pulse mean?

• damage to heart tissue due to heart disease;
• abnormal electrical pathways in the heart present at birth (congenital heart disease);
• diseases or congenital anomalies of the heart;
• anemia;
• physical exercise;
• increased heart rate - a consequence of a stressful situation, fear;
• high or low blood pressure;
• smoking;
• fever (excitation of the pulse is recorded at temperature, colds, runny nose, bronchitis; an increase in the pulse during colds and other febrile diseases is due to increased requirements for the action of the immune system, therefore, overstrain of the body, the use of medications);
• a lot of alcohol;
• many drinks with caffeine;
• side effects of medications;
• the use of drugs, in particular cocaine;
• imbalance of electrolytes, minerals, lack of vitamins;
• thyroid hypertrophy.

What can cause an increase in heart rate with a particular type of tachycardia:

• Fatigue, fever, fear, stress, anxiety, certain medications, street drugs can lead to sinus tachycardia. The next cause of this type of resting heart rate is anemia, an overactive thyroid gland, and heart disease.
• In supraventricular tachycardia, factors that increase heart rate most often include smoking, excessive alcohol, caffeine. In some cases, the condition when the pulse is quickened is associated with high. The disease is more common in women and children.
• The ventricular type is associated with more severe circulatory and cardiovascular disorders such as oxygen deficiency and other conditions such as sarcoidosis. The problem of rapid heart rate occurs with congenital anomalies of the electrical pathways, structural heart problems (cardiomyopathy), the use of drugs, electrolyte imbalance. Sometimes the reason why the heartbeat has become more frequent at rest remains unclear.

Communication with pressure: normal, low, high

The combination of high blood pressure and rapid heart rate is most often due to the following factors:

• arteriosclerosis - one of the first causes of a rapid pulse at high pressure, may appear late, with a complication;
• heart attack, angina pectoris - chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, rapid heart rate;
• myocarditis - fatigue, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling, high heart rate;
• pericarditis - chest pain, frequent shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, cough, swallowing disorder, hoarseness;
• narrowing of the heart valves - increased lower pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, swelling of the extremities, lungs, sometimes the person shakes, feeling a sense of fear and anxiety for no reason;
• heart failure - a rapid pulse with increased pressure is accompanied by arrhythmia, shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the lips, fingers, sweating, chest pain;
• shock - cold sweat, palpitations, rapid pulse, dizziness, fainting, expansion of the jugular veins (which pulsate at the same time);
• cardiomyopathy - leads to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, fainting, pulmonary edema, arrhythmia, heart failure;
• congenital heart defects;
• snoring or its dangerous form - sleep apnea;
• an increase in heart rate caused by inappropriate food - and the pulse quickens, weakness occurs; if blood pressure rises after eating (or heart rate increases after eating), it is important to exclude foods that affect blood pressure (caffeine, alcohol, licorice, etc.).

The combination of low blood pressure and rapid heart rate can be caused by various factors, both pathological and physiological. Low blood pressure and rapid heart rate often occur simultaneously in the following conditions:

• Dehydration. Fluid loss can occur due to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, especially with reduced fluid intake. Pulse at low pressure is accompanied by weakness, dryness of the skin.
• Heavy bleeding. Increased heart rate with a decrease in pressure occurs due to profuse blood loss.
• Inflammation. If a rapid pulse is accompanied by low blood pressure, an increase in temperature, this may indicate an inflammatory process.
• Intoxication. Severe poisoning is characterized by increased pulsation in the sitting position, lying down, low blood pressure, and gastrointestinal disorders.
• Vegetovascular dystonia. An increased pulse with VVD is combined with constant hypotension, headache; there may be a drop in heart rate with an increase with a sharp rise. The disease is sometimes manifested by apathy, a lack of healthy interest in the world around.
• Pregnancy. Unlike heart palpitations during illness, an increase in heart rate during pregnancy recedes after childbirth. You can get rid of the problem with the help of the regimen (maximum observance of a healthy lifestyle), permissible movements are possible (especially yoga for pregnant women).
• Osteochondrosis. Can there be increased heart rate and low blood pressure with osteochondrosis? Yes. Violation of the motor apparatus can lead to a disorder of the cardiac and vascular system.
• The use of certain drugs. In particular, the use of tablets for hypertension.
• Anemia.
• Nutrition. Low blood pressure and increased heart rate after eating occur after eating food that lowers blood pressure (for example, large amounts of beetroot juice).
• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Intoxication syndrome after drinking alcohol, taking drugs.
• Heart diseases.

At rest

Tachycardia is a compensatory response of the heart to stimuli. The problem arises with a disproportionate manifestation of this state, i.e., the occurrence at rest. This may be a sign of a medical condition (eg, heart disease, thyroid disease). But sometimes tachycardia occurs as a result of excessive consumption of caffeine or theine.

After alcohol

An increase in heart rate after drinking alcohol is caused by the effect of alcohol on blood vessels, cardiac activity. A condition characterized by a prolonged increase in heart rate, the presence of other symptoms of poisoning, is called alcohol intoxication, causes impaired consciousness, rapid pulse; what to do in such a situation? Why is she dangerous? Serious intoxication can lead to disruption of the organs, up to insufficiency.

When getting up

The increase in heart rate in this case is usually associated with hypotension or VVD. This means that treating the condition depends on addressing the underlying cause. Having got rid of the primary disease, a person knocks down the amount of heart rate.

Sleep disturbance due to tachycardia

The problem may be related to the musculoskeletal or nervous system. That is, we can talk about blocking the ribs in their connection with the spine, which causes a feeling of lack of air, sometimes a secondary panic attack develops, which is manifested by an acceleration of the heartbeat and breathing. A person wakes up, it is difficult for him to fall asleep again.

Nocturnal tachycardia - what to do?

To reduce the increased heartbeat at night, sedative medications should be used. Sometimes it is enough to take them with a rapid heartbeat once, with the manifestation of a symptom. It is recommended that you contact a rehabilitation doctor who will check for the presence of a blockage and can remove it.

What medicines to take?

With sinus tachycardia, it is important to determine the cause, and in accordance with it, decide what to take to reduce the heart rate. Recommended lifestyle changes, stress avoidance. The 1st line drug is Phenobarbital (Valoserdin). Validol is also used, which has a vasodilating effect. These drugs will bring down the heart rate and at reduced pressure.

Methods for lowering the heart rate in supraventricular tachycardia include reducing caffeine, alcohol, smoking cessation, and getting enough sleep. Men should exclude the use of potency drugs (Via-gra, Fulibao, etc.). Of the drugs recommended (Concor).

Treatment for ventricular tachycardia includes electrical reset therapy or heart ablation, procedures that destroy the abnormal heart tissue that leads to the condition. Sometimes a defibrillator is used to stop the rapid heart rate.

Important! The decision on how to treat tachycardia, what to take and how much is taken by the doctor!

Support measures

First of all, the cause of tachycardia should be determined. With arrhythmia, antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed. If they are ineffective, electrical cardioversion is performed, returning the correct heart rate.

Another option is a cardioverter defibrillator. With a pacemaker, the heart rate is regulated by an electrical discharge. If the cause is thyroid disease, hormonal treatment is used.

Is treatment necessary?

Accelerated heart rate does not always require treatment. But sometimes it can be life-threatening. Therefore, inform the doctor about the problem, he, after the necessary studies, will advise what to do with a rapid pulse.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent is to maintain a healthy heart, reducing the risk of heart disease. In case of present heart disease, follow the treatment plan to reduce the risk of tachycardia.

Prevention is regular physical activity. The heart adapts to a greater load, ceases to respond to rapid acceleration. Avoid stressful situations.

Emergency help

With a sharp change in heart rate, chest pain, fainting sensations, immediate medical attention is required. A very fast heartbeat can be slowed down with the help of the so-called. wandering maneuvers - massaging the neck, holding the breath, drinking a cold drink (it is important to know what to drink with a rapid pulse - avoid coffee, give preference to clean water).

Important! In an unconscious state, before the arrival of a doctor, begin to do artificial respiration, chest compressions.

Diagnosis and treatment

The doctor measures the heartbeat, listens to the heart with a phonendoscope. An EKG is being performed.

Treatment is given after the results of the tests are received. Treatment for tachycardia includes medication, medical or surgical procedures.

Folk remedies

Many folk recipes help to eliminate the general tension of the body, have a moderate sedative effect, help eliminate arrhythmias, and reduce tachycardia. One of the herbs that you can drink for heart palpitations is valerian, which is widely used to treat heart problems.

The next quick way to calm the heart are: hawthorn, lemon balm, St. John's wort. The intake of magnesium and garlic is recommended.