What is it about ?
The heart is made up of two upper chambers (the atria) and two lower chambers (the ventricles). The heart muscle contracts under the impulse of an electrical stimulus. This electric current originates in the sinus node, a collection of nerves that is located in the right atrium. From the sinus node, current travels to the heart muscle through a special electrical conduction system. The electrical current can be recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which allows you to visualize the electrical activity of the heart.
When the current reaches the muscle of the ventricles, it contracts. Normally, the heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. If the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, it is called tachycardia.
The origin can be in the atria or in the ventricles. In 80% of cases, the cause is a disorder of the ventricles, as in a myocardial infarction). In the remaining 20%, the origin is in theheadset of the heart, as in a heart rhythm disorder. It is important to distinguish between causes located in the ventricles and those located in the atria because there is a big difference in terms of severity: if the origin is in the ventricles, there is a risk. cardiac arrest.
How to recognize it?
The cause of tachycardia can usually be determined on an ECG recorded during an episode. Anyone who has palpitations and a heart rate greater than 120 beats per minute should have an ECG. In practice, this is not obvious. Most often, therefore, we look for other symptoms, such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, signs ofheart failure, etc.
Tachycardia originating in the ventricles most commonly occurs in older people with heart disease, such as myocardial infarction) or a heart failure. The pace is fast, usually over 160 beats per minute.
A rapid heartbeat that originates in the Headsets heart failure is more likely to be found in younger people whose hearts are healthy, but who have an abnormal electrical conduction in the muscle of the heart. The pace is often a little slower, 120 to 140 beats per minute.
Tachycardia attacks may resolve spontaneously. This is why it is necessary, if possible, to carry out an ECG immediately during a crisis. In case of doubt, the person is immediately sent to the hospital.
What should happen?
All people who have tachycardia should be referred to a cardiologist to determine the exact cause. The referring physician will give the cardiologist, through the patient, a letter describing the circumstances and characteristics of the episode as well as an ECG taken during the seizure. An ECG performed outside of a seizure can also be useful for seeing certain heart diseases.
Want to know more?
www.mongeneraliste.be/maladies/arythmie-quand-le-coeur-a-des-rates
Source