Tachycardia natural history, complications and prognosis: Difference between revisions
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{{Tachycardia}} | {{Tachycardia}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
In an adult, a heart rate faster than 100 beats/minute is considered [[tachycardia]]. This number varies with age, as the heartbeat of a younger person is naturally faster than that of an older person's. During exercise the sinus node increases its rate of electrical activity to accelerate the heart rate. Such normal fast rate that develops is called sinus tachycardia. In contrast, arrhythmias that are due to fast, abnormal electrical activity can cause tachycardias that are dangerous. If the [[left ventricle|ventricles]] of the heart experience one of these tachycardias for a long period of time, there can be deleterious effects. Individuals may sense a tachycardia as a pounding sensation of the heart, known as [[palpitation]]s. If a tachycardia lowers blood pressure it may cause lightheadedness or dizziness, or even [[fainting]] (syncope). If the tachycardia is too fast, the pump function of the heart is impeded, and rarely may lead to [[cardiac arrest|sudden death]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:31, 20 August 2013
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Overview
In an adult, a heart rate faster than 100 beats/minute is considered tachycardia. This number varies with age, as the heartbeat of a younger person is naturally faster than that of an older person's. During exercise the sinus node increases its rate of electrical activity to accelerate the heart rate. Such normal fast rate that develops is called sinus tachycardia. In contrast, arrhythmias that are due to fast, abnormal electrical activity can cause tachycardias that are dangerous. If the ventricles of the heart experience one of these tachycardias for a long period of time, there can be deleterious effects. Individuals may sense a tachycardia as a pounding sensation of the heart, known as palpitations. If a tachycardia lowers blood pressure it may cause lightheadedness or dizziness, or even fainting (syncope). If the tachycardia is too fast, the pump function of the heart is impeded, and rarely may lead to sudden death.