What is tachycardia?
The sudden, rapid racing of the heart is a condition called
paroxysmal (PER-ok-siz-mahl) tachycardia
(tack-eh-KAR-dee-ah).
What are the symptoms of tachycardia?
Depending on how fast the heart is beating, symptoms may
include:
breathlessness
upset stomach
chest pain
weakness
fainting spells.
The attack may be over in minutes or may last for several days,
with a heart rate that may range between 140 and 250 beats per
minute. In most cases, tachycardia is not life threatening, but it
can cause you to feel anxious or frightened.
What causes tachycardia?
Tachycardia may be triggered by conditions such as heart disease,
an overactive thyroid gland, fever, or by drinking alcohol or
caffeinated beverages.
What can I do to control tachycardia?
Self-help measures that may help slow down the heart rate
include:
splashing your face with cold water
taking a slow drink of water
holding your breath for a moment
If these techniques are not effective, your physician may need to
prescribe medication, apply pressure to the arteries in your neck,
or use an electrical stimulus to restore your heart rate to
normal.
