Tachycardia coming from the upper chambers of the heart.
Common pathologic tachycardia characterized by abrupt onset of a rapid, regular heart rate, often too fast to count.
An unusually fast but regular beating of the heart, occurring for periods that may last several hours or days. In most people with this abnormality the heart rate is between 140 and 180 beats a minute; rarely, the rate may rise as high as 250-300 beats. The condition occurs when abnormal electrical impulses that arise in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart override the normal control centre the sinoatrial node for the heartbeat. Symptoms usually include breathlessness, palpitations, pain in the chest and fainting. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is taken to help make the diagnosis. An acute episode can sometimes be stopped by valsava’s manoeuvre or by drinking cold water. Anti-arrhythmic drugs such as adenosine and verapamil are used intravenously if these simple methods are ineffective. Occasionally, a severe attack may need to be treated with an electric shock to the heart: this is known as defibrillation.
A rapid, regular tachycardia in which the pacemaker is found in the sinus node, the atria, or the atrioventricular junction, i.e., above the ventricles.
An accelerated heart rhythm originating from a location above the ventricles.
An irregularly rapid heart rate, which remains consistently regular, manifesting in episodes that range from several hours to a span of days. Supraventricular tachycardia transpires when abnormal electrical signals originating in the heart’s upper chambers, the atria, assume control of the heartbeat from the sinoatrial node, a cluster of cells responsible for initiating heartbeats. Symptoms encompass sensations of palpitations, breathlessness, chest discomfort, or fainting.
Diagnosis involves utilizing an ECG. On certain occasions, an episode can be halted through the use of Valsalva’s maneuver or by consuming cold water. Repeated occurrences are managed using antiarrhythmic medications. In rare instances, supraventricular tachycardia might necessitate the administration of an electric shock to the heart.