Ever experienced your heart racing without any exertion or warning? This could be tachycardia, a condition where your heart rate rises above 100 beats per minute at rest. If it is not treated timely, it can interfere with your sleep, limit physical activity, and affect your daily life. This cardiac rhythm disorder is treatable for most patients once the underlying cause is identified. At the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon our experienced team of cardiologists can help you find tachycardia cause and guide you through the right course of treatment.
Tachycardia refers to any resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute (bpm). Under normal circumstances, an adult’s resting heart rate is generally between 60 and 100 beats per minute, driven by coordinated electrical signals that originate in the heart’s natural pacemaker and spread through the heart muscle. When those signals misfire, arrive too early, or loop abnormally, the result is a heart that beats faster than it should.
Fast heartbeat is usually not dangerous when it naturally speeds up when you exercise, feel anxious, or intake too much caffeine.
Tachycardia becomes a medical concern when it happens without an obvious reason, lasts more than a few minutes, or is accompanied by symptoms that affect your daily life.
This is the most common type, in which the electrical signal still originates from your heart’s natural pacemaker (the sinus node), but the rate is abnormally high. Sinus tachycardia treatment focuses first on finding the underlying cause like fever, anaemia, dehydration, thyroid overactivity, or sometimes certain medications. Once the cause is addressed, the heart rate usually normalises on its own.
The abnormally fast heart rhythm caused by SVT originates in the upper chambers of the heart. Since its episodes usually start and stop abruptly, it is also called paroxysmal SVT. People describe a sudden, pounding sensation that can last seconds to several hours.
It is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. AF causes the atria (one of the two upper chambers in the heart) to beat chaotically rather than beat in an organised rhythm. This uncontrollable heart beat may make you feel uncomfortable and raises the risk of stroke, which is why early treatment is important.
It is similar to atrial fibrillation but with a more regular, rapid circuit in the right atrium. Atrial flutter is usually seen alongside atrial fibrillation and it can be treated with catheter ablation.
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that treats heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) by using heat or cold energy to scar the tiny areas of heart tissue triggering the abnormal signals.
VT originates in the lower chambers (ventricles) and is potentially the most serious form. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia treatment is a cardiac emergency. In this case, the heart beats so fast it cannot pump blood effectively, requiring immediate defibrillation.
Defibrillation is an emergency procedure to save life where the controlled electrical shock is given to the heart to stop the chaotic electrical activity allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to reset and restore a normal rhythm.
Non-pulseless VT also requires urgent evaluation when it lasts more than 30 seconds.
It is also called sick sinus syndrome. This condition involves alternating periods of abnormally fast and abnormally slow heart rates. Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome treatment requires a pacemaker to maintain a stable baseline rhythm
Tachycardia has many possible causes, including certain lifestyle choices and conditions that affect how the heart normally functions.
Symptoms vary depending on how fast the heart is beating and how long the episode lasts. Some common complaints seen in this condition are:
Some people do not experience any symptoms at all. Their tachycardia is picked up incidentally on an ECG or routine health check. Others find that episodes are so frequent or prolonged they can no longer exercise, sleep, or concentrate at work.
Timely and accurate diagnosis is very important for the right tachycardia treatment. Since a rapid heart rate can be caused due to various reasons, a thorough evaluation helps find out the root cause and guide the most appropriate treatment plan. The cardiologist may recommend the following diagnostic tests:
Treatment is matched to the type and severity of the arrhythmia, its underlying cause, and how significantly it affects the patient’s normal life. Following tachycardia treatment may be suggested as per your condition:
The CK Birla Hospital has built a reputation for comprehensive, personalised cardiac care. Our cardiology team has extensive experience in managing the full spectrum of heart rhythm disorders.
Patients looking for a tachycardia treatment across Gurgaon, and the broader Delhi NCR region benefit from:
If you are frequently experiencing abnormally fast heart beat, or episodes of dizziness or breathlessness, do not ignore these symptoms. A timely evaluation can help identify the cause behind it and prevent potential complications. Book a consultation with the cardiac specialists at the CK Birla Hospital for a thorough assessment and personalised treatment plan.
The right medication depends on the type of arrhythmia, its cause, and your overall health. Your cardiologist will select the most appropriate option after reviewing your diagnostic reports and medical history.
It depends on the type. Tachycardia that is secondary to a treatable cause like hyperthyroidism, anaemia, or medication side effects, usually resolves completely once the underlying problem is corrected. For structural arrhythmias like SVT or atrial flutter, catheter ablation is suggested. A cardiologist can explain to you the treatment and its success based on your specific situation.
You should seek emergency care immediately if you experience a very rapid heart rate (above 100 beats per minute at rest) with chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or extreme dizziness. If you have a known heart condition and your heart rate climbs suddenly above 150 beats per minute, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services.
Most forms of tachycardia, particularly SVT and benign sinus tachycardia, do not directly cause a heart attack. However, frequent rapid heart rates place strain on the heart muscle and, in patients with existing coronary artery disease, may reduce blood flow during an episode. This may raise stroke risk through clot formation.
Most people with tachycardia, particularly SVT, managed AF, or controlled sinus tachycardia lead normal lives. With the right treatment, many return to regular exercise, work, and daily activities without major restriction. Lifestyle adjustments such as limiting caffeine and alcohol, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce episode frequency. Your cardiologist will advise on any specific activities to approach cautiously.
