Tachycardia or rapid pulse is a common symptom that indicates a malfunction of the cardiovascular system or other organs. It occurs as a result of an increase in the frequency of contractions of the heart above the norm, and this puts an increased load on it. In what cases is tachycardia a normal condition, and when does it indicate pathological health disorders? Let's consider this issue in more detail.

Tachycardia - increased heart rate

What pulse can be considered normal?

From a physiological point of view, the pulse is a vibration of the walls of blood vessels. They occur when the blood pressure inside the blood vessels rises when the heart contracts.

Depending on age, anatomical features and lifestyle, the rate of heart rate in different people varies from 50 to 100 beats per minute. It is necessary to measure this parameter in a calm state, sitting or lying down. It is important that before this a person does not perform physical activity and does not experience strong emotional experiences (positive or negative, it does not matter). You need to measure the pulse for a minute. The technique, when it is measured for 30 seconds, and then the result is multiplied by 2, is incorrect. It does not provide objective data. The ideal time to measure the pulse is in the morning, after waking up, without getting out of bed.

We can talk about an increase in the pulse when, in a calm state, the number of contractions exceeds 100 beats. If this indicator is more than 120 beats, this is an acute tachycardia, which carries a great danger to the body.

In a child in infancy, a pulse rate of 100-120 beats per minute is considered normal. This parameter decreases gradually, as they grow older. After 7 years, the child's pulse should not exceed 100 beats.

It is important to note that tachycardia is not an independent disease. This is a symptom that signals problems in the functioning of other organs.

It is necessary to measure the pulse in a calm state

Causes of increased heart rate

Depending on the reasons that provoked a frequent pulse, tachycardia is divided into 2 types:

1. Physiological (sinus) - is the result of physical exertion, especially cardio, strong emotional experiences. It is also provoked by the use of tea, coffee, certain medicines and other stimulants. This state is considered normal, because after the action of the stimulus disappears and the person is in a calm state, the pulse rate stabilizes. There is no need for treatment.
2. Pathological (paroxysmal)- a symptom of the disease, the presence of which can be assumed when the pulse exceeds 100 beats at rest. This is accompanied by pain in the heart, dizziness, general weakness, nausea.

The following reasons can provoke pathological tachycardia:

• heart dysfunctions, in particular problems with the upper chambers;
• thyroid disease;
• lung problems, in particular emphysema;
• high body temperature - with an increase in body temperature as a result of a cold, infectious or viral disease;
• neurogenic disorders - diseases of the nervous system;
• oncological diseases.

A rapid heartbeat is also provoked by constant stress, overwork, insomnia, and the presence of excess weight.

When diagnosing tachycardia, it is important to establish the cause of this symptom. If timely treatment is not started, serious consequences are possible: from a deterioration in the blood supply to all organs to a heart attack and ischemia.

Constant stress can negatively affect the heart rate.

What to do and how to reduce a frequent pulse?

A high pulse must be reduced to normal levels. The way to treat tachycardia depends on the cause of its occurrence.

To normalize the pulse after physical exertion, emotional stress, it is enough to stop the impact of stimuli that provoke an increase in heart rate, and it stabilizes.

If a person has a constantly increased number of heartbeats in a calm state, he needs to undergo a complete diagnosis. If an ailment that provokes tachycardia is detected, treatment should be directed to its elimination.

The most common treatment options for tachycardia are:

• with anemia, drugs are prescribed that increase the concentration of iron in the body;
• with infections, colds, it is important to lower the temperature, then the pulse rate stabilizes;
• if the symptom is caused by thyroid dysfunction, treatment is aimed at stabilizing the hormonal background;
• when neurological disorders are the cause of the symptom, treatment is aimed at stabilizing the functioning of the nervous system.

Medicines that purposefully lower the heart rate are prescribed in extreme cases, when this condition can be life-threatening. Then the person takes pharmacological preparations.

Medicines that doctors prescribe, depending on the current condition of the patient:

• with hormonal dysfunctions, beta-blockers - Propranolol, Atenolol;
• with excessive production of adrenaline, adrenoblockers help - Fentolamine;
• with disorders of the nervous system, as well as vegetative-vascular dystonia, sedatives - based on herbs (Persen, valerian, Novo-passit) or synthetic (Phenobarbital, Diazepam);
• for cardiac arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic tablets and drops are required - Adenosine, Propranolol, Verapamil, Flecainide.

Propranolol helps stabilize heart rate

You can take medicines that stabilize the pulse only as directed by a doctor. Self-medication is strictly prohibited, since drugs that are effective in some types of tachycardia are useless or even dangerous in other forms.

In the most difficult cases, when tachycardia is caused by tumors, excessive activity of the thyroid gland, heart muscle defects, surgical intervention is recommended. After the operation, the parameters stabilize.

When, with a rapid pulse, the state of health deteriorates greatly, you should immediately go outside or go to an open window to get some fresh air. At the same time, it is important to unbutton the shirt collar so that it is easy to breathe. You also need to wash with cool water, attach a wet towel to your forehead, a bottle of water. It is also recommended to drink a glass of cool water in small sips, holding your breath. If such measures did not help bring down the pulse, urgently call an ambulance, especially if the attack occurred at night when the person was calm.

Rapid pulse at normal pressure

If you notice that the pulse has become rapid, but are normal, this may be a sign of serious illness. Most often, this condition signals:

• hormonal imbalance due to thyroid dysfunction:
• intoxication;
• pathologies of the lungs, heart;
• infectious diseases.

If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, the disease will progress.

If the pressure is normal, and the pulse is increased, then consult a doctor

Decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate

If the pulse rate exceeds the norm against the background of low pressure, this may indicate severe blood loss, which often happens after accidents and injuries. When there is no external bleeding, it may be internal. Also, low blood pressure is accompanied by an excessively fast heartbeat in shock conditions, diseases of the endocrine system, vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Such symptoms are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, increased anxiety, unreasonable fear. To urgently improve the condition, you can drink an infusion of valerian, motherwort, but it is extremely important to undergo an examination.
Low blood pressure and rapid pulse cause dizziness

Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure

Most often, a simultaneous increase in heart rate and pressure occurs after physical exertion or strong emotional experiences, taking stimulants. In such cases, treatment is not necessary, because this is a compensatory reaction of the body. The pulse rate stabilizes after the onset of a calm state of the body.

If the pulse and pressure simultaneously increase in a calm state, this may be a sign of the presence of heart pathologies (coronary sclerosis, valve pathology, arrhythmia), problems with the thyroid gland, lungs, oncology or anemia. An examination will help determine the exact cause.

If the pressure and pulse rise in a normal state, then this may indicate a problem with the heart.

Increased heart rate during pregnancy

During pregnancy, great changes take place in the body. Hormonal restructuring, increasing physical activity and the need to provide enough oxygen and nutrients not only to your body, but also to the fetus, lead to the fact that the pulse quickens. For a future mother, 110-115 heart beats per minute at rest are considered the norm, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. Strong discomfort should not occur.

If the increased heart rate is accompanied by nausea, pain in the heart, dizziness, negative emotional states, you should consult a doctor. During pregnancy, it is important to avoid excessive physical exertion and negative emotional experiences.

During pregnancy, the body undergoes major changes.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have begun to suffer from rapid heart rate, you should not ignore this symptom, or try to get rid of it at home using self-medication methods. It is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

This problem can be referred to:

• cardiologist;
• endocrinologist;
• therapist.

They will prescribe the necessary diagnostics: blood and urine tests, an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart and thyroid gland, an X-ray of the heart, Holter monitoring. Based on the results, the doctor makes a diagnosis and then prescribes the appropriate treatment.

A rapid pulse cannot be ignored, especially if this symptom is accompanied by high or low blood pressure. This parameter, which is constantly changing, is important to monitor regularly. When the first cases of tachycardia appear in a calm state, contact your doctor immediately. This may be the first symptom of a complex pathology. If you start a course of therapy at an early stage, the chances of being cured and normalizing the condition increase.