Tachycardia Questions?

Question

I was wondering what causes Tachycardia....I have havd this random rapid heartbeat my whole life, but recently it has become very bad. My mother talked to her heart doctor and he said he's sure its a type of tachycardia....I can't remember what type. But I was wondering what can cause this? Are there any STDs that cause it? Just curious...although this happened before I have ever been "active" just not as much and severe. Also, how do they test for tachycardia? I am very afraid of going and getting tested/evaluated. Thanks!

It does it for up to 2 hours sometimes...you can see my heart beat through my clothes...and in my neck. Sometimes it will hurt where you could take my pulse at. I have no idea if this is normal and its why I'm so afraid to see whats causing this.

I don't think I'm very clear...random wasn't the best word to use...sorry. Here is a situation. I can be layin in bed at night and it will feel like my heart will stop and then race like crazy...sometimes it lasts a few seconds, minutes and I've had it last a few hours on a couple of occassions. It beats well over 100 beats per minute.

Answer 1

Ventricular Tachycardia:


Ventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm that originates in the ventricles and produces a heart rate of at least 120 beats per minute.

Ventricular tachycardia may be thought of as a sequence of consecutive ventricular premature beats. Sometimes only a few such beats occur together, and then the heart returns to a normal rhythm. Ventricular tachycardia that lasts more than 30 seconds is called sustained ventricular tachycardia. Sustained ventricular tachycardia usually occurs in people with structural heart disease that damages the ventricles. Most commonly, it occurs weeks or months after a heart attack. It is more common among older people. However, rarely, ventricular tachycardia develops in young people who do not have structural heart disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

People with ventricular tachycardia almost always have palpitations. Sustained ventricular tachycardia can be dangerous because the ventricles cannot fill adequately or pump blood normally. Blood pressure tends to fall, and heart failure follows. Sustained ventricular tachycardia is also dangerous because it can worsen until it becomes ventricular fibrillation—a form of cardiac arrest. Sometimes ventricular tachycardia causes few symptoms, even at rates of up to 200 beats per minute, but it may still be extremely dangerous.

Electrocardiography (ECG) (see Symptoms and Diagnosis of Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders: Electrocardiography) is used to diagnose ventricular tachycardia and to help determine whether treatment is required. A portable ECG (Holter) monitor may be used to record heart rhythm over a 24-hour period.

Treatment

Ventricular tachycardia is treated when it causes symptoms or when episodes last more than 30 seconds even without causing symptoms. Sustained ventricular tachycardia often requires emergency treatment. If episodes cause blood pressure to fall to a low level, cardioversion is needed immediately. Drugs may be given intravenously to end or suppress ventricular tachycardia. The most commonly used drugs are lidocaineSome
XYLOCAINE
, procainamideSome
PROCAN SR
PRONESTYL
, and amiodarone
CORDARONE
.

Certain procedures may be performed to destroy the small abnormal area in the ventricles, identified by ECG, that is usually responsible for sustained ventricular tachycardia. They include radiofrequency ablation (delivery of energy of a specific frequency through an electrode catheter inserted in the heart) and open-heart surgery.

If other therapy is ineffective, an automatic defibrillator (a small device that can detect an arrhythmia and deliver a shock to correct it) may be implanted. This procedure is similar to implantation of an artificial pacemaker.

STDs are not a cause of Tachycardia, but they do involve any organ in the long run.
There is nothing to be afraid in getting evaluated.

Answer 2

Tachycardia literally means fast heart beat. In an adult, more than 100 beats per minute means tachycardia. An EKG can measure this, but you can also just take your pulse and count how many times you heart beats per minute - its really very easy. There are many many causes for tachycardia and its not worth speculating as to yours, however there is no STD which will cause it, so you don't need to worry there. As for the "random" component of your heartbeat, that does not necessarily relate to tachycardia.

Answer 3

Ventricular tachycardia is a potentially lethal disruption of normal heartbeat (arrhythmia) that may cause the heart to become unable to pump adequate blood through the body. The heart rate may be 160 to 240 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute).
Ventricular tachycardia may not cause symptoms in some people, but may be lethal in others -- it is a major cause of sudden cardiac death.

Answer 4

First, let's get one thing straight: the term "tachycardia" refers to a fast heart beat. The term "palpitations" refers to the perception of one's heartbeat, which I think is what you are talking about. Usually, one is not aware of his or her own heartbeat, except when the heart rythm is abnormal. Of course, tachycardia is one cause of palpitations, but there are several conditions that may be responsible for palpitations, including hormonal diseases, metabolic alterations, anemia, and others.

I would definetely recommend seeking professional medical attention. One of the easiest tests, is called a Holter electrocardiogram. This non-invasive study is painless and simply records your heart's electrical activity in a 24-hour period. It has a little button for you to press in case you feel the symptoms you are describing. Afterwards, the cardiologist analyzes the entire 24-hr recording of your heart, paying particular attention to those moments where you might have pressed the button. This method usually detects most types of arrythmias. If none are present, then you should undergo further testing.

As always, the best weapon against any condition is knowledge. It is OK to feel afraid, but it is always better to detect a potentially treatable condition (even curable) as soon as possible, when it is still treatable. If you are as young as I think you are, you shouldn't worry that much. Most of the times it's due to benign conditions that require minimal, if any, treatment.

Answer 5

tachacardia is a heartbeat over 100 beats per minute at rest. What you are probably feeling is a pvc or pac a premature ventricular contraction or atrial contraction, happens to everyone, heart skips a beat then runs fast for a few secs to catch up. An EKG can put your mind at ease, but as a paramedic for over 20 years I don't think you have to worry.

Answer 6

The Doc will listen to your heart, check blood pressure, maybe draw some blood to look for chemicals or enzymes, then order other tests such as chest xray, etc... all are painless and non invasive. This could be something simple or it can be serious, hope yours is the kind you out grow. Oh, I sure don't know of any STD that would cause this.

Answer 7

Hi, Manda. Don't stress, but you do need to go to your physician and have this checked. There are many different causes for tachycardia, and if needed can be treated or monitored. Go to your doctor and get checked. It's not as involved to do a basic preliminary exam as you might think. Best

Answer 8

there are more causes of a rapid heart rate than can fit into this space. your normal heart rate (if you are an adult) is 60-100 beats per minute. go to your doctor and ask. get over your fear.

Answer 9

please dont hesitate going to be tested !
The sooner the better!
It may not be anything serious but yet you won't know unless you go!

Do your heart a favor goe today!