Measuring your pulse is a straightforward method to assess heart rate, and it can also indicate critical health issues, such as a dangerously elevated heart rate. While it is normal for heart rhythms to increase in response to stress or physical activity, a resting heart rate exceeding 120–140 beats per minute may indicate a serious medical condition called tachycardia. In this blog, we discuss what constitutes a dangerous or rapid heart rate, its causes and risks, and symptoms that indicate the need for medical attention.
Tachycardia: Meaning and Types
Tachycardia, medically defined as an elevated heart rate, occurs when the heart beats faster than normal while at rest. A rapid heart rate typically ranges from 100 to 140 beats per minute and may persist for seconds to hours at a time. This increased rate prevents adequate blood inflow into the heart’s chambers, disrupting blood and oxygen circulation and potentially causing serious complications. There are different types of increased heart rate based on the region in which the electrical issue begins, each with varying severity and consequences:
- Sinus Tachycardia: Sinus tachycardia originates in the sinoatrial node, which regulates the frequency of heartbeats. When the SA node sends heart signals at faster intervals in response to stress or intense activities such as exercises, it is known as sinus tachycardia. Typically, it goes away when the individual calms down or is at rest.
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): These begin in the atria (heart’s upper chambers). These can be categorised as:
- Atrial Flutter: A type of SVT characterised by rapid, regular beats in the heart’s upper chambers, potentially leading to irregular blood flow.
- Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT): A sudden burst of rapid heartbeats originating in the atria, often recurring and resolving spontaneously.
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): A common form of SVT involving irregular, rapid heartbeats in the atria that impair blood circulation.
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT): A rapid heartbeat that suddenly starts and stops within minutes, often due to electrical issues in the atria.
Supraventricular tachycardia usually affects people who smoke a lot, children with anxiety, and individuals who are fatigued or have an excess consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
- Ventricular Tachycardia: These begin in the ventricles (heart’s lower chambers). These are further sub-divided as:
- Ventricular Tachycardia: A potentially life-threatening rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles, significantly increasing the risk of heart failure or cardiac arrest.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: A more severe type of ventricular tachycardia where the heart’s lower chambers quiver instead of pumping properly, leading to an emergency situation.
Ventricular tachycardia usually affects people with diabetes or high blood pressure, smokers, and people who have had heart failure, heart attack, or heart disease.
What is a Dangerous Heart Rate?
Before exploring elevated heart rates, it’s crucial to note that deviations in heart rate—whether too high or too low—can be dangerous. A resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute is classified as tachycardia, while a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is termed bradycardia. A dangerous heart rate indicates that the heart is either overworking or not pumping enough to meet the body’s blood and oxygen demands, leading to potential complications.
Signs and Symptoms of an Elevated Heart Rate
While tachycardia may occasionally present without symptoms, common indicators include:
- Chest Pain
- Heart Palpitations
- Shortness of Breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Rapid Pulse
Causes and Risk Factors for a High Heart Rate
Several factors can cause heart rates to reach dangerous levels, including:
- Tobacco and nicotine products: Smoking or using nicotine products overstimulates the heart, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
- Stress: Chronic or acute stress triggers the release of hormones such as adrenaline, causing the heart to beat faster.
- Excessive caffeine consumption: Too much caffeine stimulates the nervous system, leading to palpitations and an elevated heart rate.
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption or Sudden Withdrawal: Heavy drinking or sudden withdrawal disrupts heart rhythm, potentially triggering tachycardia.
- Anaemia (Low Red Blood Cells): A lack of red blood cells reduces oxygen delivery, prompting the heart to compensate by beating faster.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: Changes in sodium, calcium, potassium, or magnesium levels affect the heart’s electrical signals, leading to irregular or fast beats.
- Certain Medications: Stimulant drugs, decongestants, or asthma medications can increase the heart rate as a side effect.
- Heart Problems: Conditions such as arrhythmia, heart attack, or cardiomyopathy disrupt normal heart function and trigger tachycardia.
Factors that increase the risk of tachycardia include:
- A family history of Tachycardia or other heart rhythm disorders: Genetic predisposition increases the likelihood of experiencing abnormal heart rhythms.
- High Blood Pressure: Hypertension forces the heart to work harder, increasing the risk of tachycardia over time.
- Overconsumption of Alcohol or Caffeine: Excessive intake overstimulates the heart, disrupting its rhythm and pace.
- Obesity: Extra body weight puts strain on the heart, making it more prone to tachycardia and related complications.
- Smoking: Long-term tobacco use damages blood vessels and affects heart rhythm, leading to an increased risk of tachycardia.
- Drug Usage: Illicit drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, overstimulate the heart and significantly raise heart rate.
- Medication Abuse: Misuse of prescribed drugs, such as stimulants or weight-loss pills, can lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
- Untreated Thyroid Conditions: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism disrupt heart rate regulation, causing potential tachycardia.
- Age: Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to the cumulative impact of age-related changes and preexisting health conditions.
People at risk of developing a dangerous heart rate should adopt lifestyle changes to support heart health. Proactive measures such as smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight, following a low-sodium and saturated fat diet, managing stress, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes can help prevent the heart rate from reaching dangerous levels.
Read more- Why a Balanced Diet Matters: Importance, Benefits, and a Practical Diet Chart
Risks of an Elevated Heart Rate
Untreated tachycardia can lead to severe, life-threatening complications. Prolonged rapid heartbeats strain the heart, disrupt its normal function, and elevate the risk of various health issues, including:
- Stroke
Persistent tachycardia, particularly atrial fibrillation, can cause blood to pool in the heart’s chambers, increasing the likelihood of clot formation. If a clot travels to the brain, it can block blood flow and result in a stroke. - Cardiac Arrest
Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation can cause the heart to disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood, leading to sudden cardiac arrest—a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. - Blood Clots
Irregular heartbeats may lead to clot formation. These clots can travel to vital organs like the lungs (pulmonary embolism), resulting in severe complications. - Frequent Fainting
Episodes of rapid heart rate can limit blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness or fainting (syncope), which increases the risk of falls or other injuries. - Heart Failure
Prolonged tachycardia weakens the heart muscle, reducing its efficiency in pumping blood. This can lead to heart failure, a condition where the heart struggles to meet the body’s demands. - Reduced Quality of Life
Persistent tachycardia symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and palpitations can interfere with daily activities, causing physical and emotional stress.
Seeking proper treatment from a skilled medical professional is crucial to reducing the risk of complications. Early diagnosis and management can help restore normal heart function, prevent complications, and significantly improve overall quality of life.
When to Seek Medical Help for a Heart Rate That’s Too High
Although not all cases of tachycardia require emergency care, seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one exhibits any of the following:
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or tightness
- Sudden onset of weakness
Ventricular Fibrillation is a medical emergency that results in a cardiac arrest. You may notice signs and symptoms such as:
- Sudden blood pressure drop
- No pulse
- Loss of breath
- Sudden collapse
Call an ambulance immediately, and perform CPR, rescue breaths, or use an automated external defibrillator (if available) until medical help arrives.
Diagnosis of Tachycardia Increased Heart Rate
Medical professionals use a combination of techniques to diagnose tachycardia accurately, including:
- Assessment of Medical History and Lifestyle: Physicians assess your medical history, lifestyle habits, and potential risk factors to pinpoint the underlying causes of tachycardia.
- Physical Examination of Symptoms: A physical examination allows physicians to detect signs of tachycardia, including an unusually rapid pulse or irregular heart sounds.
- Diagnostic Tests:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test is essential for identifying arrhythmias and determining the type of tachycardia.
- Echocardiogram: An imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart, helping identify structural abnormalities or functional issues.
- Electrophysiology Test: A specialised test where electrodes are placed inside the heart to map its electrical pathways and identify arrhythmias.
- Coronary Angiogram: An imaging test used to visualise the heart’s blood vessels, detecting blockages or other issues that may cause tachycardia.
- Holter Monitor: A portable device worn for 24-48 hours to continuously monitor heart rhythms, capturing intermittent episodes of tachycardia.
- Tilt Table Test: This test involves monitoring blood pressure and heart rate changes while shifting body position, useful for diagnosing tachycardia linked to fainting.
- Stress Test: A test that monitors heart function during physical exertion, helping to identify exercise-induced tachycardia or other heart issues.
- Chest X-ray: An imaging test used to assess the heart and lungs for any abnormalities, such as heart enlargement or fluid accumulation, that could be linked to tachycardia.
Effective Treatments for Rapid Heart Rate
A rapid heartbeat indicates that the heart is under strain, struggling to efficiently pump blood and oxygen throughout the body. This inefficiency can result in serious complications. Therefore, the primary objective of treating tachycardia is to restore a normal heart rate (60–100 beats per minute) and prevent recurring episodes. Some of the treatments doctors use for high heart rate are:
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Lifestyle Modifications
Addressing the root causes of tachycardia often begins with lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and effectively managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes are essential in preventing episodes of rapid heart rate. -
Vagal manoeuvres
Simple physical techniques, such as coughing, bearing down (similar to straining during a bowel movement), or splashing cold water on the face, can activate the vagus nerve. This helps regulate the heart rate and is often effective for supraventricular tachycardia. -
Cardioversion
Cardioversion involves administering controlled electrical shocks to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. It is typically performed in a hospital under sedation and is highly effective for certain types of tachycardia, such as atrial fibrillation. -
Medications
Medications like beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anti-arrhythmic drugs may be prescribed to control the heart rate or prevent arrhythmias. These are tailored to the patient’s specific condition and overall health. -
Catheter ablation
This minimally invasive procedure involves guiding a catheter through the blood vessels to the heart. It uses heat or cold energy to destroy small areas of tissue responsible for the abnormal electrical signals causing tachycardia. -
Surgery
Surgical interventions may be necessary for severe cases where other treatments fail. There are two main options:- Maze procedure: Surgeons create small incisions or burns in the atria to disrupt abnormal electrical pathways, enabling the heart to maintain a regular rhythm.
- Pacemaker: Apacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin to regulate the heart’s rhythm by sending electrical impulses. It is particularly useful for cases involving both abnormally slow and fast heart rhythms.
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): Similar to a pacemaker, an ICD monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers shocks if it detects life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.
- Open-heart surgery: In complex cases, open-heart surgery may be required to address structural issues or implant devices like pacemakers or ICDs.
Conclusion
A dangerously rapid heart rate may indicate a serious underlying health condition. Prioritise your heart health by consulting a specialist for comprehensive evaluation and tailored treatment. Prioritise your heart health, and schedule a consultation with our cardiologists at Graphic Era Hospital. As a leading healthcare centre in Dehradun, we provide modern diagnostic tools and comprehensive treatments for tachycardia. To book an appointment, call our toll-free number 1800-889-7351, request a callback, or schedule an appointment online.
