What is paroxysmal tachycardia?
paroxysmal tachycardia is a medical term used to describe the accelerated heart rate, which is caused by the dysfunction of the electrical system of the heart. Most cases of this type of increased heart rate are short and are no significant health risks. In some cases, paroxysmal tachycardia may take several minutes or hours and can lead to potentially fatal complications. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness. Treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia is based on specific symptoms and general health of the patient and may include the use of prescription drugs, electric shock treatment or surgery. In persons with paroxysmal tachycardia, these areas of the heart do not take place at a stable pace, leading to periodic episodes of fast Heartbeat. Possible causes of paroxysmal tachycardia include physical disease, illegal drug use and alcohol or caffeine use. Smokers may also have a higher risk of developing this condition.
patients who have mild cases of paroxysmal tachycardia may not experience any noticeable symptoms of this condition. Those who experience symptoms may notice the feeling of tightness in the chest or spirit. Heart palpitations or a feeling of extreme anxiety may also occur. These symptoms usually occur sporadically and last only a few seconds or a few minutes. In more serious cases, symptoms can become very unpleasant and last for several hours.
No treatment is required if there are no symptoms associated with paroxysmal tachycardia, although the supervising physician may order other tests to make sure there are no other health conditions that may require treatment. Some of these tests may include monitoring of electrocardiogram or holter. Electrocardiogram, also referred to as ECG, records the electrical activity of the heart so the doctor can see any inconsistencies that may require additionalevaluation. Holter monitoring requires the patient to carry the device for 24 hours, and the doctor evaluates the results to determine whether the patient has paroxysmal tachycardia.
prescription drugs can be used in attempting to regulate the patient's heart rate. In some cases, the processing of electric shock may be used to shock the heart back to the normal rhythm. Surgery is often used as a last option and may not be possible if the patient has basic medical concerns that makes it dangerous to undergo surgery.