Many people wonder what diseases cause a fast heart rate. While a heart attack is a potentially life-threatening situation, a fast heart rate can also be a symptom of another condition. The good news is that many common diseases have different symptoms. These conditions include Sick sinus syndrome, Atrial flutter, and Atrial fibrillation. If you are concerned about a fast heart rate, contact your doctor. A doctor can help you understand the symptoms and determine if any of them may be causing your fast heart rate.
Sick sinus syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome can be a transient symptom of other medical conditions. If your heart rate is fast and irregular, you should be evaluated by a doctor. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first step to rule out other conditions. Holter monitors, which are portable ECGs that record your heart’s electrical activity continuously, can be helpful in the diagnosis of SSS. You may also be able to use an implantable loop recorder (ILR) to monitor your heart’s electrical activity.
Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a relatively rare heart rhythm disorder. It occurs when the sinus node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker, is dysfunctional. When the sinus node malfunctions, it leads to abnormal heart rhythms. Many people who suffer from this syndrome require a pacemaker to keep their hearts in a normal rhythm. A pacemaker implant is sometimes needed to correct the problem.
Atrial fibrillation
If you notice that your heart is beating rapidly, you may have atrial fibrillation. This condition occurs when the electrical impulses that cause your heart to beat too fast and too irregularly are sent to the atria. These signals cause the atria to quiver and shake and cause your heart rate to beat at an irregular rate. A normal heart rate is around 60 to 100 beats per minute.
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, is used to confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. This test records electrical activity in the heart. A Holter monitor can record a series of ECGs over a period of time to detect if you have atrial fibrillation. A doctor can also use a heart rhythm monitor, which records the ECG for several hours over a period of time.
Atrial flutter
Atrial flutter is a common heart rhythm disturbance characterized by a fast atrial rate and a fixed or variable ventricular beat rate. The condition can be asymptomatic or lead to tachycardia, acute heart failure, or even an embolic stroke. Physical exam findings are usually irregular peripheral pulse resulting from variable conduction from the atrioventricular node. Crackles in the lung fields may be present as well. Patients may experience tachycardia, abdominal distention, or lower extremity oedema when the congestion occurs. Medical evaluation and treatment of this disorder are critical and require the participation of an interprofessional team.
Patients with atrial flutter should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms, especially when the heartbeat is abnormally fast. Left untreated, atrial flutter can lead to stroke and heart failure, so it is important to find a solution to the condition. Fortunately, treatment options for atrial flutter vary. A cardiologist or other healthcare provider can help determine the cause of the abnormal heart rhythm and offer treatment options to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
Atrial tachycardia
A person’s heart is made up of four chambers. The two lower chambers, the left and right ventricles pump blood through the body. The atria, however, are the area affected by atrial tachycardia, which causes them to beat too fast. Each heartbeat begins with an electrical pulse that originates in the sinoatrial node (SA node), a cluster of specialized cells in the right atrium. The electrical pulse then flows from the Sinoatrial node (SA node), or SA node, to the rest of the heart, where it triggers an individual heartbeat.
The cause of tachycardia can be difficult to pinpoint. Many times, people suffering from fast heart rates do not experience any symptoms. However, some tachycardia conditions may be caused by various conditions, including stress, anxiety, or a stroke. There are medications available to treat tachycardia, which lowers the risk of other diseases. If you feel that your heart rate is unusually fast, consult a healthcare provider right away.
Ventricular tachycardia
VT is an abnormally fast heart rate. VT episodes may last a few seconds or a few minutes. However, long-term episodes are more dangerous. VT is also a sign of diseases affecting the heart muscle, so treatment for this condition focuses on managing the underlying disease and improving the abnormal heart rhythm. Treatment may include medicines, ablation therapy, or implantable devices. If you’ve noticed a fast heart rate, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Remember to write down your questions so you’re prepared when you arrive at your appointment.
Ventricular tachycardia or VT is a heart rhythm disorder that results from abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart. This fast heart rate causes a problem with the heart’s electrical system and can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated quickly. People with VT typically experience shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and faintness, and may even lose consciousness.