Normally, a resting heart beats about 60 to 100 times in a minute; however, in some cases, the heart rate of a person can be over 100. This condition is commonly referred to as tachycardia. If we have to define it medically, tachycardia is a type of heart rhythm disorder marked by accelerated heart rate while you are still at rest. When you indulge in some physical activity, it is quite normal for your heart to beat faster; however, when this happens when you are simply sitting or lying down, it may be a cause of concern.

Tachycardia does not necessarily induce any severe symptoms or complications. However, if the problem is left untreated for long, it can aggravate and interfere with the normal functioning of your heart, thereby giving rise to serious problems like heart failure, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Treatment for tachycardia is offered at all the leading heart centers in Pune.

Various types of tachycardia -

Tachycardia can be further classified into the following:

• Atrial fibrillation: The condition is marked by rapid heart rate, which is usually triggered by irregular electrical impulses in the Atria or the heart's upper chamber. These eventually result in rapid contractions, which are usually uncoordinated. The heart of a person suffering from tachycardia may beat somewhere between 100 to 170 times in a minute. In some cases, the condition is temporary and does not require any treatment, whereas, in others, there might be a need for proper medical intervention.
• Atrial flutter: The condition is somewhat similar to atrial fibrillation and is marked by the heart's inability to follow a normal beating pattern. The heartbeats of the patient are less chaotic as compared to those in the case of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. Whether the patient requires treatment or not depends upon the severity of his condition. In most cases, both conditions, i.e., atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, coexist.
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): The condition is marked by abnormally accelerated heartbeats that originate from the ventricles, i.e., the heart's lower chambers. The problem is triggered by abnormal circuitry in the heart, usually congenital, and results in the overlapping of signals.
• Ventricular tachycardia: As the name suggests, ventricular tachycardia originates from the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart. The accelerated heart rate prevents the ventricles from carrying out their function properly. As a result, they cannot contract and pump blood to various organs of the body. The episodes are very brief and last only for a few seconds without inducing any severe harm. Best heart surgeons in Pune suggest that it is pertinent to seek immediate medical intervention if the episodes last for more than a few seconds.
• Ventricular fibrillation: Again, the problem involves the ventricles or the lower chambers of the heart and is triggered by chaotic electrical impulses that prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently. A person suffering from ventricular fibrillation requires immediate medical intervention. The condition is usually experienced by patients suffering from a heart attack and is usually a result of an underlying cardiovascular disease or trauma suffered in an accident.

Symptoms you need to look out for:

Since accelerated heartbeats mark tachycardia, it is likely to affect your heart's normal functioning, as a result of which it cannot pump enough blood to the different parts of your body. This can lead to a deficiency of oxygenated blood, which is likely to give rise to the following problems:

• Shortness of breath or experiencing difficulty while breathing
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Accelerated pulse rate
• Heart palpitations
• Recurrent chest pain and discomfort
• Fainting

If you are experiencing any of these, it is better to consult a specialist from the best hospital in Pune and get yourself evaluated.