Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview Heart rhythm problems, called arrhythmias, can cause a few types of symptoms. Palpitations Having palpitations means that you are unusually aware of your heartbeat.
How do palpitations cause chest discomfort? Light-headedness If you have an arrhythmia that causes your heart to beat too fast or too slow, you may feel light-headed or dizzy. Fainting syncope Syncope say "SING-kuh-pee" refers to a sudden loss of consciousness that doesn't last long. And it is a very worrisome symptom for several reasons: Fainting can result in a serious injury for example, if you faint while climbing stairs or driving.
You faint because your brain did not get enough oxygen to function, which may be a warning sign that you have a serious medical condition. How long does syncope last? Shortness of breath A feeling of shortness of breath, which doctors call dyspnea, frequently happens during arrhythmias. This symptom can be very difficult for people to describe and may be referred to as: Shortness of breath.
Tightness in the chest. Being winded. Feeling tired from walking. What causes shortness of breath? Specific arrhythmias: Diagnosis and treatment.
In DL Mann et al. Philadelphia: Saunders. Shen W-K, et al. Circulation, published online March 9, DOI: Accessed March 30, Growing older or having a family history of tachycardia or other heart rhythm disorder makes you more likely to develop tachycardia. Any condition that puts a strain on the heart or damages heart tissue can increase your risk of tachycardia.
Such conditions include:. Lifestyle changes or medical treatment for related health conditions may decrease your risk of tachycardia. Complications of tachycardia depend on the type of tachycardia, how fast the heart is beating, how long the rapid heart rate lasts and if you have any other heart conditions. The most effective way to prevent tachycardia is to maintain a healthy heart and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
If you already have heart disease, monitor it and follow your treatment plan to help prevent tachycardia. If you already have heart disease, you can take steps to help prevent tachycardia or another arrhythmia:. Tachycardia care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Tachycardia heartbeat Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Tachycardia heartbeat In tachycardia, an abnormal electrical impulse starting in the upper or lower chambers of the heart causes the heart to beat faster. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Typical heartbeat Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Typical heartbeat In a typical heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Homoud MK, et al. Sinus tachycardia: Evaluation and management. Accessed March 3, Zipes DP, et al. Diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias. Elsevier; It also depends on the type you have and how severe your symptoms are. Tachycardia in the ventricles is often more serious than in the atria.
For this reason, it may need to be treated right away. Possible treatments include:. Treating the underlying cause. Lifestyle changes. These include getting enough sleep and reducing stress. They also include avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs.
Vagal maneuvers. These are techniques that may help interrupt a fast heartbeat and slow it down. One example is to take a deep breath and bear down hard while holding your breath. These may be used to help slow down a fast heartbeat. Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.
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